Los Angeles Angels at our Texas Rangers Series Thread

[DT LUNA]

I think the BP is fine. Nathan and Frasor did great. Scheppers, NOT. Soria struggled a bit and the Ross came in and had one bad pitch that cost us three runs and the lead. Schep gave up 4 runs but one only earned. Even though the error that allowed 3 of the runs to score was an error from Schep and a wild pitch he threw that put two runners in scoring position. So yeah bad outing for the BP but the Angels know us as we know them. Why Ross threw an inside fastball to someone like Hamilton is unknown. He has made that mistake with left handed hitters a few times this year.

All our lefties should know how to pitch Josh. Out and down unless Josh caught on which is doubtful.

 

[RevSader]

It was something like: was more quiet in the clubhouse after the game 6 loss or game 7 loss. Joking or not that does not make you friends quick.

I don't like that kind of douchebaggery. It's not necessary, and only stands to alienate you from people.

 

[Swangin]

I think the BP is fine. Nathan and Frasor did great. Scheppers, NOT. Soria struggled a bit and the Ross came in and had one bad pitch that cost us three runs and the lead. Schep gave up 4 runs but one only earned. Even though the error that allowed 3 of the runs to score was an error from Schep and a wild pitch he threw that put two runners in scoring position. So yeah bad outing for the BP but the Angels know us as we know them. Why Ross threw an inside fastball to someone like Hamilton is unknown. He has made that mistake with left handed hitters a few times this year.

Soria hasn't pitched in over a year he just needs some innings. Hopefully he'll get a chance to get into a few games next month, the Rangers are going to need him down the stretch.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

I honestly expected the guy could still hit. I was wrong.

I was hoping to have lightning in a bottle too.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

All our lefties should know how to pitch Josh. Out and down unless Josh caught on which is doubtful.

Ross has been lousy against lefties and great against righties. Go figure. Was worried about his matchup with Hamilton because he really has limited control with his pitches. He just throws hard. Soria was just off barely on some of his pitches and that happens. Did not see Scheppers but results not too good and we really stink in run downs.

 

[pegasusredleg]

For tonights game both teams will be relying on their starters to go deep due to both pens working hard the past two nights. By not pitching Wolf last night, the Rangers have the upper hand. Cotts, Wolf and Nathan should be available. Schep and Soria, don't think so. Maybe Robbie.

 

[WastinSomeTime]

For tonights game both teams will be relying on their starters to go deep due to both pens working hard the past two nights. By not pitching Wolf last night, the Rangers have the upper hand. Cotts, Wolf and Nathan should be available. Schep and Soria, don't think so. Maybe Robbie.

Don't see these starters going deep. Will be really surprised if they do.

 

[romeo212000]

Don't see these starters going deep. Will be really surprised if they do.

Perez certainly has the ability.

 

[pegasusredleg]

Don't see these starters going deep. Will be really surprised if they do.

I think you are correct. We know Perez' latest struggles but Williams is no better. Williams 1-5 in his last 10 starts with an 8.08 ERA. 61 hits over 42 innings pitched.

So we might have another slugfest again.

 

[jta4437]

Solid bat, bad defense, mid 20s 2B prospect, Might give the Angels someone to replace Kendrick with soon

He's a pretty Meh prospect from what I read, bench player, fringy starter at best

From Keith Law...

The trade: Angels send Alberto Callaspo to the A's for Grant Green

Alberto Callaspo provides the A's with some infield depth and flexibility, as he can fill in at multiple positions. He is best at third base but capable of handling second or as an emergency backup at short while providing value as a right-handed bat off the bench. (He's a switch-hitter but better from the right side.)

The A's have used Adam Rosales in a similar role over the past year and a half, but he adds no value with the bat (other than his ability to trot quickly around the bases on his occasional home runs) and Callaspo is only a slight drop-off defensively. The A's may use Callaspo as a platoon partner for their left-handed-hitting second baseman Eric Sogard, who's been able to hit right-handed pitching this year but has never hit southpaws in his big league career, which would shore up their weakest position on the diamond.

In exchange, the Angels get 2009 first-round pick Grant Green, one of the bigger enigmas among minor league prospects because he's too good of an athlete to be a man without a position.

Green has a quick, slashing stroke at the plate that produces line drives and doubles power, but his plate discipline has always been below average and he doesn't make enough contact for a guy who, outside of a year in the hitter-friendly Cal League in 2010, hasn't hit for power. He's an above-average runner but doesn't have great feel as a base stealer.

He was a shortstop in college at USC and has also played second, third, center and left in pro ball. He hasn't clicked at any of those positions and is probably best described as a bad defensive second baseman.

Green has the arm for the left side of the infield and his feet should be quick enough for any position, but his footwork was consistently terrible at short and not much better at second, so he'll need a lot of work for any position where the Angels try to play him. Third base might be worth a shot, as he's played only 11 games there as a pro and the position, now vacant in Anaheim, requires less of the lateral agility that the middle infield does.

For Callaspo, it's a reasonable return, but the Angels' player development folks have just been handed a big, high-profile project.

 

[Windingmywatch]

Have meant to post a compliment on Jason Frasor's work the past several weeks. Even though he got tagged the other night with the HR and loss ... I am very glad he's on the roster.

He seems to be getting better and better.

 

[jta4437]

Have meant to post a compliment on Jason Frasor's work the past several weeks. Even though he got tagged the other night with the HR and loss ... I am very glad he's on the roster.

He seems to be getting better and better.

Agreed, his biggest issue was not getting any work in high stress situations and then people were surprised when he didn't immediately succeed in them

The other night wasn't his fault, someone else should have been pitching instead of Frasor coming out for a 3rd inning of work

Wash has been setting him up for failure all year, but Frasor has mostly been successful nonetheless... (not saying Wash is doing it on purpose, before anyone accuses me of that)

 

[Windingmywatch]

Ross has been lousy against lefties and great against righties. Go figure. Was worried about his matchup with Hamilton because he really has limited control with his pitches. He just throws hard. Soria was just off barely on some of his pitches and that happens. Did not see Scheppers but results not too good and we really stink in run downs.

Ross needs to watch about a 100 hours of film of Neal Cotts against LH batters.

My sense for some reason against LH batters Ross tends to throw too many hitable strikes. Inside pitches that aren't inside enough ... like last night ... and on the other side of the strike zone he seems to elevate too much and isn't able to nail that low and away corner. Holland does that. Cotts does that. Even CJ does that. Ross was able to do it but isn't getting the ball down.

Fatigue?

 

[DT LUNA]

Ross has been lousy against lefties and great against righties. Go figure. Was worried about his matchup with Hamilton because he really has limited control with his pitches. He just throws hard. Soria was just off barely on some of his pitches and that happens. Did not see Scheppers but results not too good and we really stink in run downs.

No excuse for not executing the run downs. Do they continue to work on fundamentals after reaching the big league? One would think so but way to often it does not appear they do. Base running is a big concern as well as plate discipline. Too many blunders makes me doubt they work on much.

 

[Windingmywatch]

No excuse for not executing the run downs. Do they continue to work on fundamentals after reaching the big league? One would think so but way to often it does not appear they do. Base running is a big concern as well as plate discipline. Too many blunders makes me doubt they work on much.

If you end up with your pitcher having to make the put out in a rundown ... you screwed up.

TEX has had some notable rundown failures this year. Very noticeable.

Need to see a video of it again ... but I was surprised that when Moreland got the ball back he didn't go home to get a play on the runner coming home. Maybe I don't have the sequence right.

 

[jta4437]

No excuse for not executing the run downs. Do they continue to work on fundamentals after reaching the big league? One would think so but way to often it does not appear they do. Base running is a big concern as well as plate discipline. Too many blunders makes me doubt they work on much.

The failed run down should've never even got to Scheppers, that was a failure from the 2nd throw on, people throwing it too quick and not giving chase, the initial throw to 2nd was great and that should've pretty much been the end of it with no more than 1 more throw

Scheppers screwed up but it never should've reached that point

 

[Windingmywatch]

The failed run down should've never even got to Scheppers, that was a failure from the 2nd throw on, people throwing it too quick and not giving chase, the initial throw to 2nd was great and that should've pretty much been the end of it with no more than 1 more throw

Scheppers screwed up but it never should've reached that point

^right

 

[lainey12]

It's true, he was talking about it on the radio one day. But the best thing he said that day was, how he was going to be done and when the Rangers offered him 11M he couldn't believe it. Still don't get that one, but not my money.

A lot of us don't get it. He was injured and money-whipped out of retirement. I said in the offseason what's his real motivation here? (ESPN) His career over and 'legacy' insured, why play again when he was obviously pretty hurt?
I was smacked around a little for that opinion. BELIEVE me, I wish I would have been wrong.

However, I was very wrong about AJ, who I also had serious doubts about...that WAS a pretty good signing considering the catching market, he's had no trouble with the Rookies (which he is supposedly known for)...in fact, besides his sometimes laziness behind the plate, I think his competitiveness has been a POSITIVE thing for the team.

And he taunts the Angels and A's, which is worth a million alone...

 

[lainey12]

Berkman is meeting with FO today, will probably retire and forfeit 4.4m left on his contract.

Good, bye.

 

[lainey12]

I think you are correct. We know Perez' latest struggles but Williams is no better. Williams 1-5 in his last 10 starts with an 8.08 ERA. 61 hits over 42 innings pitched.

So we might have another slugfest again.

Agree, Williams was okay for awhile, then awful as a starter and Perez is looking at the vid from last night as we speak. No question there.

Time for a big win Rook, I think he's going to hold them enough for us to take the whole thing