MacNasty

I wouldn't change a thing with this lineup right now. Tinkering with it when these guys aren't hitting isn't always the way to go. Hamilton WILL get hot, just a matter of time. Plus, Pujols hasn't exactly struggled of late, the protection thing is overrated in a lineup like this because no pitcher wants to put anyone on when they play this team. Let it roll for a while longer and he'll get hot when someone else in that group gets cold. It's all good.

Pitching matchups in this upcoming series aren't exactly in our favor... But yeah. It would be great to see them take the series from Texas. This offense still isn't hitting on all cylinders, it's scary how good they might end up being. Just hope the pitching can keep a cap on those runs allowed.

The entire staff needs to GROW IT.

I'm sure he made a beeline for a double-double as soon as he landed.

I can't really agree. I hate the losing, and I hate the way our pitching staff nibbles at the plate and bleeds runs, but I absolutely love the composition of the players in the field. Even the other guys like Iannetta and our new 3B have really grown on me. It's just that I'm always angry at the scoreboard and the way they're playing. I just want to see them provide more consistent offense. More swagger at the plate, and more team production overall like we're seeing tonight, and the most important thing the pitching doing their jobs like we saw tonight. For me what I really want to see is them meld into a TEAM. I don't know if the pitching will let that happen this season, but I'm crossing my fingers.

The real question is when would you have a better chance at bringing in his successor? In the beginning of the season or after the season? If I am Moreno I would wait until the end of the season. If at that point we're out of the playoffs, Sciosh gets the axe and I hire Clint Hurdle, whose contract is up after this season. CH knows big offense, and would get these guys firing off quickly. If you need blood to satisfy the urge, Butcher will be the sacrificial lamb. And the best thing about it is he has it coming with years of underperformance.

I agree the problem starts with pitching. But from there it goes deeper. The offense is hardly lighting the league on fire. These guys will probably start putting up more points since they are too talented not to, but they are definitely underperforming to date. The defense is weak too. Which I know irks Sciosh to no end. My take is the overall swagger of this team is just not there. For as much talent as they have, they're not really a "team" playing as one tight unit. Where is the edge, that hunger they used to have with that resilient team that won it all? They didn't have a great pitching staff, far from it. Was that edge really coming from Maddon's presence as bench coach? I have always supported Sciosh and think he's gotten a lot of unfair flak from fans, but I am seriously beginning to question whether it's time to find another leader for this team.

Butcher is as good as gone. This staff should settle down a bit, but there is no way this bunch is going to get it done this year. Hate to be negative, but I just can't see it. His staff has never really had the swagger I wanted to see, even when they were loaded with talent. He's on borrowed time, and it's probably sooner than later that he'll get the axe. And I think it's probably time to replace him anyway, as I don't think he's gotten the most out of the talent available over his tenure. We probably need to upgrade at hitting coach too, but that's another topic and after they reset the direction on the whole pitching equation.

I doubt they're looking at him for Butcher's job. But if I were Steve Soliz I would be concerned... This is his third season as BP coach and guess what? They've underwhelmed during his entire tenure.

Re-watched that home run to right center, that was a great piece of hitting. I think it's a good sign, and suspect he's gonna catch fire here very soon and get back to what we saw for most of last season.

A mentally tough Halos' reliever? WHAT!? I'm diggin it. BZ to both young arms in tonight's game, great to see it!

You can see in that celebration how pumped this team was. I'm hoping this is a key building block, one of those games where the team gels a bit and starts to build some of the swagger they SHOULD have. And it's interesting that the key pitching contributions came from the youngsters. I like it. Let's hope it continues.

I have to admit I underestimated them a little. They are basically built like we used to be under Sciosh, around strong pitching. Gotta give them credit on putting together what looks like another good group. The problem is our teams that had the strong pitching didn't have the offense when they needed it in those playoff series against more complete teams like Boston/NY. Whether the A'th have the same problem remains to be seen. But that's what I love about this game, anyway. You just never know. We still don't, even as bad as our team looks. Gotta play those games!

I have a case of negra modelo on ice. If he tanks, plan B is in effect.

I hereby predict that he goes six strong innings, the offense responds, and the Angels start their climb out of the cellar. He's gonna get 'er done tonight!

Fail.

Maybe a bench clearing brawl will wake this team up. It can't hurt, at this point. Yes, I'd like to see that.

After we lose 10-9:

Scene from inside the meeting:

Absolutely true. This is why I think hiring DiPoto signaled the end of Mike's reign as Angels manager. They have already fired his friend, and while Butcher is clearly in need of a firing I don't think Mike survives the next decision. They either turn it around and make the playoffs or he's gone. Incidentally, that is also on DiPoto. If you stack a team that the manager isn't proficient at managing in terms of its strengths, then it's time to get a manager in here who knows how to utilize them.

I think the players need to look themselves in the mirror and some of them need to step up as team leaders and kick their fellow players in their derriers. But aside from that I agree Sciosh is definitely on the hot seat. I would think he has the full season (I would give him a playoff or bust mandate), but Moreno cannot be happy with how this team looks given the money he's shelled out. IF, for example, they were to be swept by the Astros.... Oh boy, buckle in. The most rabid anti-Sciosh fans might get their wish sooner than later.

I know everyone is expecting the Angels to dominate the Astros, but the way things are going those games are probably going to be closely contested, and knowing our luck we'll drop 2/3 of them. Hope not. It would be nice to see these guys start playing with some swagger and confidence and it has to start somewhere right?

I wonder what our pitching's giving up in terms of BA with RISP.

"You are what your record says you are." - Bill Parcells Right now, the Angels are inferior to both the Rangers and A's in the only real measurable we have: the scoreboard. Last season the Angels finished third in the division due to the bullpen squandering leads, if only half of those had occurred the Angels would have won the division. This season right away they are way back in the standings for the same reason. To think that is going to turn around after the trend of the past couple seasons is noble and all, but it doesn't make much sense. We have every reason to doubt whether the pen can get it turned around. I hope they do, or this season is going to be lost.

The answer isn't one magical change, there are a lot of issues with this team. 1. Bullpen. It sucks AGAIN. What do these bullpens have in common the last two years and this one? Butcher. Is he maximizing his available talent? I don't think so. I also don't think he is necessarily handling the young arms who have come up all that well. The Angels should have an elite pitching coach. Is Butcher that? Not in my book. He needs to be replaced with an upgrade. 2. Offense. There is a lot of dysfunction still in this org from the days of MS "swing away" approach to the current direction as dictated by the GM. I am not certain MS is really onboard with the whole thing, and he probably still isn't happy about losing his good friend as hitting coach. Sciosh is a top echelon manager, but I am no longer certain he is the right fit for the Angels' direction. 3. Organizational depth. They need to do a better job on international talent. If I'm Moreno I would rather throw bigger signing bonuses out there for the young and unproven world players than go after these big name FAs. Historically, that just doesn't work. Chalk it up and this is going to be Scioscia's last season as Angels' manager. I think a house cleaning is in order. Pitching coach, Hitting coach, Bench coach, and yes Manager. Only way that doesn't happen is if they get into the playoffs, but right now it is hard for me to envision that because I think both Oakland and Texas are probably going to end up having superior teams due to the pitching side.