Los Angeles Angels: Series Recap vs. Kansas City Royals
By Esai Leanos
The last time the Los Angeles Angels made the postseason they were swept by the Kansas City Royals. The latest series was much different.
Sunday was supposed to be Ohtani Day, but unfortunately, the game was postponed and Ohtani’s start is now pushed back to Tuesday against the Red Sox (which should be a fantastic matchup). But now we take a look at the last series between the Los Angeles Angels and Kansas City Royals.
Game 1: Angels win, 7-1
Ian Kinsler hit a home run on the second pitch of the game, Trout belted one to center, and Ohtani cleared the bases with a triple. The offense had been deadly up to this point, and they continued the charge in the first game of the series.
However, the high point was the performance Nick Tropeano put up on the mound. It was his first start coming back from Tommy John surgery and he did amazing. He threw 6.2 innings, striking out six and walking two. The Angels’ rotation has been dealt a bad hand with the injuries to Shoemaker and JC Ramirez, so this performance is a sight for sore eyes.
Game 2: Angels win, 5-4
Believe it or not, the Angels were actually trailing at one point in this game but were saved with a rally in the 8th. Andrew Heaney had an okay start, going five innings and giving up three runs and striking out seven. This game featured the first real miscue for the Angels defense this season, and it was kind of hard to watch. Luckily, Mike Trout showed us that our defense is actually rather decent, to say the least.
Game 3: Angels win, 5-3
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I have been an Angels fan for as long as I can remember. Never have I seen a lineup that is consistently producing on the offensive side of the ball. Every single batter in the lineup, one through nine, has contributed to the cause and has produced through these first 16 games. It is truly a sight to behold.
On the pitching side of things, Richards had a perfect game through four innings and then fell apart slightly in the fifth and started spiking sliders and fastballs.
It is starting to get concerning that it seems he constantly struggles to get through the fifth inning of his starts, but it was cold and raining (and even started snowing), so we could be blowing something out of proportion. Time will tell.
Next series: The Red Sox
An unstoppable force meets an immovable object in Anaheim for a three-game series. Ohtani, Skaggs and Tropeano will face the Red Sox starting Tuesday. Ohtani is off to a hot start, but many critics think that the reason he’s done so well is that he’s faced subpar competition in the form of the Athletics. So Tuesday could very well be his first challenge on the mound.
Next: Who the Dodgers should call up with Forsythe on the DL
The Red Sox are on an absolute tear. I said before the Indians series that it would be the Angels first real challenge this season. If the Angels do well against the Red Sox in this upcoming series, expect all the storylines to ask if the Angels are legitimate World Series contenders.