Does anybody else feel that the Angels are ready to get on a roll?
I know it might be a bit irrational considering the standings and the last series, but does anyone else feel like we're about to get rolling now? Seven games back is definitely a lot at this point in the season, but now with Haren anchoring one of the strongest front fours in all of baseball and a hundred games of offensive/bullpen underachievement, it just feels like the tides are about to turn.
Last year, virtually every offensive member overachieved and at one point, every regular was hitting .300. This year, not a single player is sniffing .300 other than Torii (.292). We've got Kendrick, Matsui, Wood, Abreu, and Rivera all at the low end of any conceivable pre-season projections, no offensive players exceeding expectations, a bullpen that has been among the league's worst all season long, and inconsistent starting pitching. And yet, somehow, the team still has a winning record.
I realize it's possible that the offense keeps at its current pace and that the "law of averages" doesn't mean that everyone is all of a sudden going to go on hot streaks. But with this front four in place, if the offense just lives up to expectations for the rest of the year, I like our chances to make up the ground with the team as it currently stands. If we can perhaps make one more move before the deadline for another pitcher (bullpen or rotation), I think we're in a lot better shape than any other team that has this big of a deficit.
This Fan-Post is authored by an independent fan. Tell us what you think and how you feel.
78 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
I don't know exactly what I'm feeling...
….but I have to say that Sunday morning, I was in the “there’s always next year” mode.
And today? I feel like there’s some fight left in us and we can only HOPE everyone takes us for granted.
its nothing I can nail down, but there’s definitely something in the air.
Self-realization. I was thinking of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "I drank what?"
The Geek.
by The OC Sports Geek on Jul 26, 2010 4:18 PM PDT reply actions
Exactly...
That pretty much sums up exactly how I feel. Some good juju out there today. Hopefully we can get it started with a win tonight.
Let's hpe, but...
…7 games is a lot to make-up against a team that is playing relatively well. Unless the Rangers accrue some injuries or other bad juju, I will remain skeptical about our chances in 2010.
I hope you're right
The Haren move was a statement. We definitely made a statement both by making the move, and by who we gave up — the general perception was that we stole him.
Which might make it harder for Tony R. to make his next deal ….
Rory Markas. Alex Chilton. 2010, you suck!
We needz moar runz!
If the Halos can start scoring at will, then we have a chance … even if it is 7 GB or 10 GB. PRAY FOR A TEXAS-SIZED COLLAPSE!
I love this team.
I have been trying to tell myself what you are saying above...
Unfortunately, my preseason evaluation of the Angels OF was that the advanced age, lack of defense, and lack of speed/range would be our downfall. So far, right on the button. I didn’t expect the shitty hitting to accompany this.
Our bullpen is still in flux searching for consistency. Perhaps Kohn can provide a boost?!
All that said, I am hopeful that we are catching the Sux at the conclusion of a long west coast road trip and we can pound them into submission. The hangover from taking 3 of 4 from the Angels will drop Texass who is facing a HOT A’ss team (won 9 of last 11).
…. if we can get a hitter and play some defense then maybe… but this past pivotal weekend versus the Rangers was not inspiring at all
We played flat out terrible, we got zero timely hits, and we would have won 3 of the 4, had we been able to play fundamental baseball
In Kobe we trust!
by robi s on Jul 26, 2010 5:08 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
The Rangers have gone
32-17 since the start of June, whereas the Halos have gone 26-22, so that’s where the gap has come from. The Angels are 8-13 this month… doesn’t help the cause. I hope something changes for the Angels, but for whatever reason I get that gut feeling that this is the Rangers’ year. They’ve always had the offense, but this year they’re getting the pitching. Not just the Cliff Lee acquisition, but Tommy Hunter is 8-0 with an ERA of 2.31. A converter closer in CJ Wilson is 9-5 with an ERA just over 3. They plucked castaway Colby Lewis out of the Japanese League and now he’s got 9 wins, a mid-3s ERA and is a top-10 strikeouts pitcher. I just get the feeling that the stars have aligned perfectly for Texas, but I sure hope I’m wrong.
No.
Not to be negative, but outside of the overacheivement after Kendry went down, I can’t really find a spot in the season where they were simply firing on all cylinders.
I HOPE they get on a roll, but if they couldn’t get up for the biggest series so far this year (Texas 4-game), then not sure where the heart of the team is.
I think the trade is great and will shake things up a bit but that doesn’t translate into automatic wins, especially since Haren can’t play every day.
Right now the Rangers are a better team, and they are playing like they want it. Or basically, they are the team we have been used to seeing in the Angels for the last 5+ years.
Hopefull? Yes. But history can be a cruel teacher and so far this year, history hasn’t been nice.
We’ll see ;)
by RedFog on Jul 26, 2010 5:55 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Hah yeah but what bugs me...
…is I can’t really hate the Rangers. At least not in that vile, putrid way I have hate for the Yankees, Sox, Seattle, Doyers, and even a bit for Oakland. Of course I have innate hatred towards them because they are in our division and especially when we play them.
But they have a good bunch of guys, and now half the damn team feels like ex-Angels.
I REALLY hope we catch them (duh), but if we don’t – and it’s probably blasphemy – but I’ll want them to beat anyone that comes out of the AL. I don’t think I could really say the same for Oakland or Seattle if the tables were reversed.
You mean other than the Cokehead and the Meth-head, and the guy who throws chairs?
Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch
No team is perfect, but one doesn't play...
(and I have no love for cokehead), and the other is allegedly clean.
I’m sure you are pefect but most of us make mistakes, and drugs don’t make it easy to fix once you make that mistake (at least not highly addictive ones).
You hate Seattle? Really?
I don’t hate them or the A’s, but I do hate the Rangers, the Red Sox, the Giants, and the Yankees.
THIS… IS… ANAHEIM!!
Well, I think it's partly because I spent a year in Seattle...
…and while the people living in Washington are generally nice (and sadly, nicer than SoCal as a whole), I had some interesting times at the stadium, especially as an Angels fan as I always wore my colors.
So yeah, it’s not necessarily against the team per se, but just my whole ball-of-wax experience.
I think for many fans, it’s like the type of auto manufacturer(s) you support. I bought a Ford F150 new once, it needed a new engine after 2 weeks. Sure, it’s an anomoly but I won’t ever touch a Ford again, ever. Still driving a Toyota Tundra I’ve had for 11 years and it’s as solid as a rock knock on wood ;)
I guess I'm the only one who wasn't angry about them wearing red
I thought red was one of their main colors for awhile now.
Torii Hunter has some Brain Movage
Regarding your point about the Angels for the last 5+ years.
I think Angel fans in general have taken for granted the team’s sustained excellence.
Ranger fans this year are having fits of spastic enthusiasm because the team is winning and in first. Through 99 games the Rangers have played .586 baseball.
From 2004-2009, six seasons covering 972 games, the Angels played .583 baseball.
So basically, Angel fans have experienced what Ranger fans are experiencing this year……..times ten.
by Fan Since 1981 on Jul 26, 2010 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Exactly...
…and that is why I don’t even hate the Ranger fans that much.
We all remember what it felt like when it first started happening to the Angels. We were a myopic bunch and proud of it. It was great!
And in a way, I feel even a bit bad (but not much) for the Ranger fans because that franchise is a train wreck financially so they need to soak it all up because there is no telling when this might come around again.
My appreciation for 2002 is more than words could ever say
Because of what happened in 1986 and the absolute crap I stuck through game-after-game-after-game-after-game circa 1987-2001…….it made 2002 THAT MUCH BETTER.
by Fan Since 1981 on Jul 26, 2010 6:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I have a better chance of hitting a yo 11 in craps
I may be misreading this chart, but it looks like Baseball Prospectus gives the Angels a 4.8% chance of making the playoffs.
Rolling a 5-6 or 6-5 on the dice is a 5.6% shot.
Cant go wrong with a Craps reference
it applies in many ways to this team…….
They have been playing like Crap
Chan Gailey's #1 Fan!
by norcaliangelsfan on Jul 26, 2010 6:16 PM PDT up reply actions
If Baseball Prospectus says it
Then it must be true :)
Seriously, though, that’s why they play the games. Weirder things have happened. I don’t count on Texas collapsing, but if they did, not many of us would be too surprised. But the odds are against it happening.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes
by johnnyangel101 on Jul 27, 2010 9:49 AM PDT up reply actions
Agreed
The odds are definitely against us, but there is a chance…
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes
by johnnyangel101 on Jul 27, 2010 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions
NO.
I don’t feel it.
Sorry.
Any time you think you have the game conquered the game will turn around and punch you right in the nose.
Mike Schmidt
Yeah, a downhill roll at the rate we're going...
Haren will be good for years to come though.
"You gotta have nuts." / "Coming Around 3rd, especially if I'm ticked off, that's going to happen." - Torii Hunter
by Commander_Nate on Jul 26, 2010 10:15 PM PDT reply actions
If Dan is a Heron, then who is the Eagle?
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Jul 27, 2010 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
it is heron
heron we need to win every game
"Fundamentals are a crutch for the talentless" - Kenny Powers
by DAD OF VLAD on Jul 27, 2010 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Or we need to be on Heroin to win a game.
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Jul 27, 2010 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Nah, I don't feel it
But hopefully, by tomorrow or within the next couple days, I’ll get it back again. I feel I can feel it again. SIgh.
Angel Pitching, Angel Defense - get past that.
I dont mind taking lumps this year..........
sure it sucks………but 2011 is shaping up to be a pretty good year.
The team can get refocused, try to find some consistant offense to go along with the amazing rotation we have set up….and get back on top in 2011.
Chan Gailey's #1 Fan!
by norcaliangelsfan on Jul 27, 2010 6:43 AM PDT reply actions
yeah, i don't know...
this team seems pretty underwhelming still. the best team will make the playoffs, and we get to play a whole bunch of garbage teams over the remainder of the season, but i’ve got one eye on a 2011 club that will have, at minimum, dan haren and a healthy kendry. if we go for crawford like crazy, bring up bourjos (for defense alone, even), slide abreu into DH, and bring Naps to full-time catcher, i love this team. even with a four-man rotation.
R.I.P. Nick Adenhart - Always an Angel
Nope
"Winning is the most important thing in my life, after breathing. Breathing first, winning next." -George Michael Steinbrenner III
I think I'm at the point where if we can just knock Lackey out of tonight's game
I will be very happy
We're 8-14 in July with 4 tough games to play...
…currently we’re rolling in the wrong direction with not much indication of slamming on the brakes. I can’t say I’m hugely optimistic.
I see red people
I truly doubt it
Seems like the only time this team rolls is following injury to critical personnel, so maybe it will happen again after Haren going down.
At this point, I will settle for the small victories and hope they give Lackey a proper welcome back to the Big A tonight. That might be asking too much of this bunch, though…
by Big Easy Halofan on Jul 27, 2010 8:50 AM PDT reply actions
Maybe
Matsui finally seems to be getting his stroke back. Rivera is starting to hit well. Abreu hit a big fly last night. Those three have been dragging down the offense this year amidst much, much higher preseason expectations. IF they hit well down the stretch, then, yes, the Halos will have a nice little run to finish the season.
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." - Woody Hayes
Don't see it happening...
I agree with Reagins who said the other night that “we have a strong team when we play to our potential.” However, with aging stars like Matsui and Abreu; what exactly is our potential?
Not to mention we had a lot of young guys coming into 2010 with only one good season under them. How are you suppose to know their potential? From one good season? Could you reall bank on dudes like Jepsen and Bulger repeating their success?
Lets not forget that some of 2009 was a fluke. I mean, Matt Fucking Palmer being a 10+ game winning. C’mon.
This team has holes. I think Tony is attempting to fill them but not just for this year but for years to come ( i.e. Haren trade). I do think this team is better than its performing but there are some issues….were not playing as a team, our outfield is old and slowing down, horrible injuries, I pretty much have relegated 2010 as a loss and now only look forward to seeing our prospects perform once the rosters expand.
dissenter, dubious and devil's advocate to blog monitors everywhere.
by BryanHarvey'sMoustache on Jul 27, 2010 9:51 AM PDT reply actions
I really doubt it, I don't want to say season over, because a lot can change, but I'm really not liking our chances this year.
In the mean time though, I’ll enjoy watching Haren and Weaver compete for the league lead in Ks, seeing Kohn hopefully become a useful reliever for us, and getting to see Bourjos and Trumbo develop if they get called up when the rosters expand.
Yeah, but, see none of these is suited to carrying the entire team.
Getting on one of these rolls would be like asking Juan to carry the team, or even Abreu. I was thinking, y’know, something more like this:

All Aboard!
The team is flat
Has been all year. They got in a roll a couple of times (Remember they were even in first place for a day!!) But they just can’t get it going. I still hope for 2 out of 3 with the Bosox and a Texas sweep. Hey, hope spring is eternal.
Xavier Calvera
I had this feeling yesterday
up until we ha the bases loaded and scored nobody. Then I came back down to earth.
Now batting, our rookie of the year, Miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiike TROUT!
by angelskid2210 on Jul 27, 2010 1:43 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
Rec'd
for feeling the same way I did.
I love this team.
by Downing Rules on Jul 27, 2010 2:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I had to leave to head up to the Valley last night...
…so could only listen on the radio.
After that fiasco, I had to change stations for a while. Maybe “real” fans don’t do that, but I was so sickened I simply didn’t want to listen to Angel baseball any longer for a little bit.
I was worried about inadvertant road rage…
Whatever "it" is, we just don't seem don't have it this year
The Gods, Lady Luck, the spirit of Nick Adenhart, etc., is not with us this year—we are a “mojo-less” club in search of inspiration (hopefully found by 2011).
Good draft next year anyone?!
LOL
Somewhere, right now, Mickey Hatcher is ruining a swing.
by Quinlan's Goofy Swing on Jul 27, 2010 10:19 PM PDT reply actions
I think you mean this team will be Playing on a ROLE, like this

All I need are some tasty waves, a cool buzz, and I'm fine.
by Quad Fin Rider on Jul 27, 2010 11:30 PM PDT reply actions
My eyes!!!! The google do nothing!!!
Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch
My bad
I know it’s only been two games since this post, but I know longer have any lingering optimism upon which to hang my hat.
Yes... we are going to get on a roll.... downhill
Angels baseball. We do what we must, because we can -- HaloDutch
Absolutely
not. :(
"I came back with an I-Don't-Care attitude. If I had an open shot, I was taking it."
--The Robert Horry
I bleed Purple N' Gold and Silver N' Black... because of this rare condition, I am no longer allowed to donate to the Red Cross.
by The_Power_and_the_Glory_of_Robert_Horry on Jul 28, 2010 12:25 PM PDT reply actions
I'm sure this was a well-intentioned post...
…but now – after today’s fiasco – it has to qualify as one of the most ill-timed posts ever.
Seriously, has the OP been heard of since?
I’ve not checked every reply, just wondering if he/she is ok :/

by 





























