The Los Angeles Angels scoreboard at the Big A in Anaheim shows one out in the top of the ninth with the Tampa Bay Rays Kevin Kiermaier at the plate during Angel pitcher Reid Detmers No-hitter on Tue May 10, 2022 (AP News photo)
The Year of the Angels? Series with A’s At Oakland this Weekend
That’s Amaury News and Commentary
By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez
OAKLAND–Could this be the year of the Angels? On Tuesday at Angels Stadium their 22-year-old lefty Reid Detmer pitched a no-hitter against the Tampa Bay Rays. It was the 12th no-no in the history of the Angels. The rookie had no words to describe his feat. So far, it looks like this could be their year. It is early in the season and I still believe the Houston Astros are the team to beat in this division.
Noah Syndergaard, the ex-Mets starter, looks as good as the $21 million one-year contract he got from the Anaheim team, but their lineup is really most menacing.
There is no rest for pitchers against this lineup, with Brandon Marsh, Mike Trout, Shohei Ohtani, Anthony Rendon, and Jared Walsh, one after the other, they all pack a punch. Their pitching rotation is doing well and if they can maintain any type of respectable pitching this team will be in the race all season long.
The biggest enemy for the LA Angels? Injuries. They have two of the best players in the world in Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani and then one of the best all-around third basemen in Anthony Rendon, very underrated as an all-around player. These guys are irreplaceable. Especially because this organization doesn’t have much ready in the minor leagues.
Jo Addell, whom the Angels expected this season to blossom into the star outfielder he can be, has not done it so far. He was recently sent to the minor leagues for more seasoning. Late in April they officially designated veteran outfielder Justin Upton for assignment, as a team will honor all the $28 million he is owed this season.
Two months into the season, the Los Angeles Angels are clicking on all cylinders and their leader Mike Trout (who was hurt most of last season) is hungry to take his team to the postseason. The last time they made the playoffs was in 2014.
In their 61 seasons, they’ve been in the playoffs a total of 10 times. In 2002 under manager Mike Scioscia (pre dating these players of today) they beat the Giants and won the World Series.
But this current Angels crew has never experienced such a thing. During their 2021 season their three-time MVP Mike Trout only played in 27 games due to injury (ironically 27 is also his famous number).
Shohei Ohtani is a tremendous athlete, the only two-way star player currently in baseball, and the most famous since… Babe Ruth. However, this is Trout’s team, he is the leader by example, great talent, and professionalism.
I was calling the game for the Angels on FSW when Mike Trout made his major league debut. He was called to replace Peter Bourjos in center field. That night (July 8, 2011) Mike Trout made his debut, started the game in center field, and hit in the ninth position, he went 0 for 3.
During his first season, he struggled and played a total of 40 games. Next year, when he started 2012 ‘from scratch’ in Spring Training with an opportunity, he seized it and has been their All-Star center fielder ever since.
There is nothing Mike Trout cannot do on the field. The LA Angels need a healthy Mike Trout all year long, not only because of his productivity, but he is the soul of this team, and as Trout goes so do the Angels. By the way, Mike Trout was the 25th pick in the 2009 draft.
Beginning Friday at the Oakland Coliseum. Friday 6:40, Saturday DH/1:07, and 6:40. and Sunday 1:07. The most improved Minnesota Twins will follow for a 3-game series beginning on Monday and ending on Wednesday, before the A’s pack and go on the road again.
Sports Radio Service 