While the offense was generally putrid, there were a few good things to take away from the Angels losing their first game of 2008.
Kotchman looked great, pummeling the ball with authority. Weaver gutted out a few jams, were Napoli to have cooperated with a cannon on base stealers, Jered might have squeaked himself a W. Figgins was clutch even though clutch does not exist (Baseball having an automatic transmission, I guess). Darren Oliver was quick and efficient.
Welcome to the Angels Torii Hunter. Welcome to the Major Leagues Darren O'Day.
Okay, as fans we take it one game at a time (I just corrected a typo in that sentence, I had typed “dame” and that would change the meaning of this post quite a bit), so let’s blow off the steam and get them tomorrow.
Bottom Line: Livan Hernandez beat us on March 31, 2008, but remains the Losing Pitcher on October 27, 2002.
Name an Angels fan that would reverse these two.
0 recs | 21 comments
Fix the defense and we should be fine
I've grown to live with the Angels faltering against terrible pitchers
edhoo - March 31, 2008
Maybe Minnesota should ...
paint the roof of the Metrodome a dark color to make the ball more easily seen. That right there might have fixed a few defensive gaffes.
The throws to 2nd are a combination pitcher bringing it in a timely fashion along with the accuracy and velocity of the throw, so you have to blame Naps AND Weaver for that.
Downing Rules - April 1, 2008
not Nap's fault
I disagree with the Napoli statement. While Jered has an excellent pick-off move, his lanky and slow movement to the plate was more a hindrance to Napoli getting the ball down there, than ineffectiveness on Nap's part. 0-4 on baserunners is a terrible start, especially with the pitch out, but it seems young Gomez out-Choned us tonight.
defensively, we played like it was still March (yes, I know it IS still March, but nonetheless, not an excuse). bullpen looked good though!
we'll get 'em tomorrow!
feNOMINAL - March 31, 2008
It was Napoli's fault on the pitchout
No excuse to throw so high that Kendrick has to make a great play to save an error
edhoo - March 31, 2008
But the guy would have been safe anyway
He had the throw beat, so what's the difference?
LA Seitz - April 1, 2008
Seriously
Do you actually understand what you are looking at when you watch games? You must be the fan that is content in winning only half of our games, because it is more important to you not to hurt the feelings of sub par player’s feelings than it is to win. Do you think maybe that the 25 extra pounds Napoli carries on his frame might be a hindrance to his effectiveness? Get used to more 0-4, 0-5, 0-6 nights from the catching position until Mathis is put in.
kill7373 - April 1, 2008
Yeah, and when Mathis is in
Get used to PLENTY of 0-4 and 0-5 games, only he'll be doing it at the plate.
When Mathis learns to hit, he can take the every day job.
Mike Napoli career OPS+ - 109
Jeff Mathis career OPS+ - 57
I can live with a few more stolen bases.
LA Seitz - April 1, 2008
bench garret
how long can we can go until scoscia realizes that having a defender on par with hunter DH is the stupidest thing EVER. please, if matthews' ankle is 100% stick him in the field. let vlad field if his ego's that big, he'll be here in the future. Garret: get used to the idea of not being in the clubs future.
ihearhowie2.0 - March 31, 2008
Carpet and ankle injury
They were resting Matthews ankle. This happened like less than a week ago. Have people already forgotten?
LA Seitz - April 1, 2008
um ya
i was there when it happened. not like i said "when hes 100%" or anything. have you already forgotten how GA and Vlad both were not into DHing before the injury and Matthews probably DHd more than both of them in spring BEFORE the injury?
ihearhowie2.0 - April 1, 2008
Then why ask a stupid bullshit question like:
how long can we can go until scoscia (sic) realizes that having a defender on par with hunter DH is the stupidest thing EVER
Because we haven't even gone one freaking game yet, unless you think the Spring counts for something.
I swear to God, the people that lose their shit over one loss are making this place unreadable.
LA Seitz - April 1, 2008
stringing together singles
something they couldn't do last season.
hopefully there will be more of that to come.
thrill000 - March 31, 2008
hard to swallow
just had to
eyespy - March 31, 2008
I'm going to quote someone else
After watching ESPN's opening day the other night between the Braves and Nationals, the guy who did the opening promo put things in perspective perfectly. Each team is guaranteed to win 60 games and lose 60 games. The true season is decided during those middle 42 contests. Games at the beginning of the season mean as much as they do at the end of the season. Just because there's 161 games left doesn't mean the first game means less. Can anyone seriously say today didn't hurt? It did for me and I was hung over from the night before so I was watching a blurred filled version of the game. War Halos!
WeaverMania - March 31, 2008
there's also a blance
you KNOW we're gonna steal a lot of games that we have know business winning.
SCHalo - April 1, 2008
man that sucked
subject should read "there's also a balance" and the second "know" should be a NO. i can't even blame that on the new format!!!
SCHalo - April 1, 2008
Darrens: Oliver and O'Day
pitched quite well. This was a positive to take out of game #1.
Downing Rules - April 1, 2008
I think...
the team will be a lot like last year on offense. Streaky, contagious type team. Good depth, but no one great (except Vlad ofcourse). Even though I like GA better than 99% of the people on halos heaven, this can be summed up in him batting 4 and Kendrick batting 7th. Good depth, but not exactly Ortiz and Manny at 3/4.
I really think we expected to get Cabrera and were shocked when it didn't happen.
As for defense, I think we'll be fine if not above average. We knew Napoli's limitations going in, but he has always caught Weaver. Still a real nice 1-2 catcher punch, although I'm a Mathis guy.
thewebb - April 1, 2008
One dame at a time
Imagine what Missus Halofan would have to say!
scareduck - April 1, 2008
As long as she is the ONE Dame
And time has stood still ... then I am in the clear!
Rev Halofan - April 1, 2008
I wished the Angels would have won ...
But I'm grateful they still have 161 more chances
Grichfan - April 1, 2008
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Halos Heaven to post a comment.