(Sept. 4, 2017) · Sept. 4, 2017 Page 2 of 24 Today’s Clips Contents FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIME (Page 3) • Late Angels rally not enough to overcome poor pitching FROM THE ORANGE

Sept.4,2017 Page1of24

Clips

(Sept.4,2017)


Today’sClipsContents

FROMTHELOSANGELESTIME(Page3)

• LateAngelsrallynotenoughtoovercomepoorpitching

FROMTHEORANGECOUNTYREGISTER(Page4)

• AndrewHeaneyallows3homersinAngelslosstoRangers

• AngelsNotes:Heartoftheorderclicksinfirstweekendtogether

FROMANGELS.COM(Page7)

• Heaney’sstartsumsupAngels’rotationwoes

• Angels’rallyin9thcomesupshortinTexas

• BullpenoftheWeek:Angels

• BridwelllookstoreboundinopenerwithA’s

FROMTHEASSOCIATEDPRESS(Page14)

• Elvisleavesbuildingtwice,RangersbeatAngels7-6

FROMMLBTRADERUMORS(Page16)

• Rosenthal’sLatest:Herrera,Upton,Verlander

FROMCBSSPORTS(Page16)

• MLBSundayscores,highlights,updates,news:NLwild-cardraceheatingup

FROMESPN(Page21)

• Dailynotes:pitcherandhitterrankingsforMonday


FROMTHELOSANGELESTIMES

LateAngelsrallynotenoughtoovercomepoorpitching

ByPedroMoura

itchingistheproblem.ItwillbetheproblemiftheAngelsqualifyfortheplayoffs,anditwillbethethingmosthinderingthemfromdoingsooverthenextfourweeks.Theyhavepotential-filledstartingpitchers,threeofthem,inAndrew Heaney,Tyler Skaggs,andGarrett Richards.

ButHeaneyandSkaggsarestrugglingintheirreturnsfrominjuriesthatclaimedmostoftheirseasons,andRichardswillreturnTuesdayfromanailmentthatexactedalmostallofhis.

IntheAngels’frenzied7-6losstoTexasonSundayatGlobeLifePark,Heaneyfailedtofinishfourinningsandpermittedthreehomers,bringinghis2017totaltoanalarming11in191/3innings.Regardingthestatusofthispitchingstaff,concernsabound.

OnSunday,theAngels’twonewacquisitions,Brandon PhillipsandJustin Upton,notchedsinglesinthefirstinning.AfterAlbert Pujolswalked,C.J.Cronreachedtonabanoutsidepitchandpoweredittotheright-fieldwall.Thedoublescoredtworuns,thoughCronnearlystayedatfirstbasebecausePujolshadtroublemakinghiswaytothird.Heappearedinsignificantpainonhisfinalfewstridestowardthirdbase.

OverthenextthreeinningsagainstTexasstarterMartin Perez,theAngelsnotchedthreesinglesbuthitintotwodoubleplays.Theyscroungedtogetheraruninthefifth,whenMike Troutsingled,Uptonwalked,andPujolsrappedasingleintoleftfield.

Inthemeantime,Heaneystruggledtofindhisfooting.Hepitchedaroundafirst-inningsingle,thenpermittedarunontwosinglesandtwowalksinthesecond.Fourpitchesintothethird,Heaneyletabreakingballcatchabittoomuchofthestrikezone,andElvis Andrustimeditright,golfingitintothebleachers.Thattiedthegame,2-2,andtheRangersmovedfaraheadinthenextinning.

AfterHeaneywalkedRougnedOdor,heofthe.252on-basepercentage,hestruckoutWill Middlebrooks,thensurrenderedatwo-runhomeruntoRobinson Chirinos,theRangers’hot-hittingcatcherwhoinexplicablyhitsninthintheirlineup.

ThatbroughtpitchingcoachCharlesNagyouttothemoundandforcedBlake WoodintoactionintheAngels’bullpen.AfterDelinoDeShieldsmadeitback-to-backhomeruns,managerMikeSciosciacameoutforHeaney,andWoodcameintothegame.

Hekeptthescoreat5-3untilthesixth,whenrookieright-handerKeynanMiddletonwalkedDeShieldsandservedupanotherhomeruntoAndrus.


TheAngels(70-67)startedarallyintheseventh,butfailedtofinishit.Troutsetanewcareer-highbywalkinginhis11thconsecutivegame.Upton,too,walked.ButPujols,SimmonsandCronallhitintoquickouts.

Uptoncommittedanothermishapinthefieldintheeighth,mistiminghisreachonadrivetothewarningtrack.Itdidnotcountasanerror,butitturnedanoutintoadouble,thoughtheRangerscouldnotconvertitintotheireighthrun.

ThatmeantPujolsstoodasthepotentialrunwhenhebattedwiththebasesloadedandnooutsintheninthinning.ButhebitonanoutsidesliderfromRangersrelieverTonyBarnetteandpoppedout.Upnext,AndreltonSimmonsdrilledadoubletotheleft-fieldwall,scoringtwoofhisteammates.

AfterCronstruckout,KoleCalhounwasintentionallywalked.Pinch-hitterKalebCowartdrewafour-pitchwalk,forcinginarun.UpcameLuisValbuena,needingasingletolikelypushtheAngelsahead.Hegroundedouttothirdtoendit.

ThoughtheylosttheseriestoTexas,theAngelsfellnofurtheroutofplayoffposition.TheycontinuetotrailMinnesotaby11/2gamesfortheAmerican League’ssecondwild-cardspot.

Shorthops

ThirdbasemanYunelEscobarisscheduledtoresumeswingingabatMondayinOakland.HehasnotdoneanyswingingsinceexitingaminorleaguegameWednesdaybecauseofsidestiffness,aggravatinghisobliqueinjury.He’llmissafewmoredays,atleast.…TheAngelsrecalledright-handerEduardoParedesfromtriple-ASaltLake,bringingtheircurrentrosterto32.StilltobeaddedisthirdbasemanJefryMarte,amongothers.…CatcherMartinMaldonado’s116gamescaughtleadsthemajorsafterhestartedallthreegamesovertheweekendinTexas.TheAngelsdonotplanonlesseninghisworkloaddownthestretch,thoughtheynowhavethreecatchersontheiractiveroster.HereceivedthelastinningoffSunday.

FROMTHEORANGECOUNTYREGISTER

AndrewHeaneyallows3homersinAngelslosstoRangers

ByJeffFletcher

ARLINGTON,Texas—WhiletheAngelslineuphasclearlyimprovedlately,thepitchingisstrugglingtokeepup.

AndrewHeaney’ssloppystartwastoomuchforaresilientAngelsoffensetoovercomeina7-6losstotheTexasRangersonSunday,endingaforgettableweekendseriesforthepitchingstaff.

TheAngelsgaveup22runsintheseries,losingtwoofthethreegames.TheironlyconsolationwastheMinnesotaTwinsalsolosttwoofthreethisweekend,sotheyremained11/2gamesbehindintheraceforthesecondwild-cardspot.


“Wejustdidn’tdothejobonthemound,”ManagerMikeSciosciasaid.“Lastnightwedidalittlebetterjob,butthewholeserieswedidn’t.Weneedtogetthatinorder.”

Offensively,theAngelsnowhaveamoreformidablelineup,withtheadditionsofJustinUptonandBrandonPhillipsandsecond-halfhotstreaksofLuisValbuenaandC.J.Cron.Theynearlyovercamea7-3deficitintheninthinning,leavingthebasesloaded.

TheAngelshaveflippedthescriptfrommuchoftheseason,whenitwastheAngels’pitcherswhokeptthemafloatwhilethelineupstruggled.

Ironically,thepitchinghascrackedjustastheyhavestartedtogetsomeoftheirmosttalentedpitchersbackfromthedisabledlist.NeitherTylerSkaggsnorHeaneyhavebeenabletorecapturetheirpre-injuryform.

Theyrepresentedthebookendlossesinthisseries,withSkaggsallowingsixrunsonFridaynightandHeaneyallowingfiverunsin31/3inningsonSunday.Skaggshasa5.86ERAinhissixstartssincecomingoffthedisabledlist,andHeaneynowhasa6.98ERAinfouroutings.

“Thepotentialisthere,”Sciosciasaid.“Rightnowthey’vehitsomeroughpatches,buttheseguysaregoodpitchers.”

Heaney’spreviousstart—oneruninsixinnings,with10strikeouts—wasastepforward,butthiswasastepback.

Heaneygaveupthreehomers,soloshotsbyElvisAndrusandDelinoDeShieldssandwichedaroundaRobinsonChirinostwo-runhomer.Heaneyhasnowallowed11homersin191/3innings.Heaneyalsowalkedfour,whichwasparticularlyuncharacteristicforhim.Forhiscareer,hehadaveragedjust2.2walkspernineinnings.

Heaneysaidtheproblemwasthesameasitwasinhisfirsttwostarts,alackoffeelforhisoffspeedpitches.Thatlefthimwithoutchoiceswhenhewasbehindinthecount.TheRangershitacouplehomersonfastballs.

“Ididn’tdoagoodjoboftryingtothrowsomethingelsetokeeptheguysoffbalance,”Heaneysaid.“Youcantjustfeedintowhatthey’retryingtodo.Youalsocan’tnibble.Youhavetomakeapitch.Sometimesyougetcaughtinbetween.That’swhereIwastoday.”

TheAngelstrailed5-2inthefourth,whenHeaneywaspulled,afterallowingDeShields’homer.

ItwasyetanotherdeficitfortheAngels’offensetotrytoovercome,andtheygaveitashot,withpressureeveryinning.

DoubleplaysscuttledAngels’ralliesinthethirdandfourth,andtheylefttworunnersapieceinthefifth,sixthandseventh.AlbertPujols’90thRBIoftheseason,inthefifth,pulledthemwithin5-3.


TheirralliesinthesixthandseventhweresnuffedbyfirstbasemanWillMiddlebrooks’leapingcatchofaBrandonPhillipslinerandthirdbasemanJoeyGallo’sdivingcatchofanAndreltonSimmonsshot.

Intheninth,theAngelsloadedthebaseswithnoouts,bringingthepotentialtyingruntotheplate.Pujolsthenpoppedout.AfterSimmonsdroveintworunswithadouble,Cronstruckout.KoleCalhounwasintentionallywalkedtoloadthebases.Pinch-hitterKalebCowartthenwalked,pullingtheAngelswithin7-6.LuisValbuenathengroundedintoagame-endingforceout.

AftertheAngels’lineupnearlybailedouttheirpitchingstaff,Heaneyvowedthathewillfigurethisoutandbeginconsistentlydoingthejob.

“Ifeelgoodaboutit,”hesaid.“Whenmyprocessisgood,theresultswillcome.Iknowthat’snotthemostcomfortingthing.Iknow,whenIdowhatIneedtodo,whenIdowhatIcando,Igetgoodresults.”

AngelsNotes:Heartoftheorderclicksinfirstweekendtogether

ByJeffFletcher

RLINGTON,Texas—ThenewmiddleoftheAngels’orderiscertainlyworking.

JustinUptonreachedbasefivetimesonSunday,withtwosinglesandthreewalks,improvingto5for11withfivewalksinhisfirstthreegameswiththeAngels.

AlbertPujols,whonowbatsbehindUpton,tookadvantage,drivinginsevenrunsinthethreegames.Pujolswas7for13withtwowalksintheseries.MikeTrout,whohitsinfrontofUpton,was6for12withfivewalks.

“LookattheopportunitiesAlbert’sgottenandtheopportunitieshe’scashedin,”ManagerMikeSciosciasaid.“That’soneofthereasonswhyJustinishittinginfrontofhim.You’vegotaguywitha.450onbase(MikeTrout)andaguywitha.360onbase(Upton)infrontofAlbert…HopefullythatwillcreateopportunitiesforAlbertandKole(Calhoun)and(AndreltonSimmons).”

It’salsopossiblethatPujolscanbenefitsimplybyhavingmorerun-producersinthelineup,takingsomeofthepressureoffhim.

“Ithinkthere’saconfidenceyougetthatyoucanpassthebaton,that‘Idon’thavetodoitallrighthere,’”Sciosciasaid.“AttimeswhenyourlineupisreallyshallowthereismoreattentiontowhatMikeisdoing,whatAlbertisdoing,theguysyouexpectlargecontributionsfrom.”

Sciosciasaidthosetwoplayersmostlymaintainasolidapproach,buttheycan“feelasenseofurgencythatIhavetodoitnoworelsewe’regoingtostruggle.”

COMEBACKKIDS


TheAngels’come-from-behindvictoryonSaturdaynightwastheir40thoftheseason,mostintheAmericanLeague.Manyofthosehavebeenlate-inningdeficits.Theyweredowntotheirfinalstrike,downbytwo,beforerallyingonSaturday.

Forateamthatranks27thinthemajorsinOPS,it’ssurprisingtohavesomanycomebacks.

Asyou’dexpect,theAngelshaveperformedbetterwhentryingtomakeupadeficitorlateingames.TheirOPSwhentrailingranks16thinthemajors.In“lateandclose”situations,theyaresixth.Fromtheseventhtoninthinnings,theyare13th.

TheynearlydiditagainonSunday,scoringthreerunsintheninthbeforelosing7-6.

“Ilovethespiritonthisteaminthedugout,”Sciosciasaidbeforethegame.“Theyaren’ttight.Theyaren’tpressing.Theygouptherewithgoodat-batsandIthinkwe’veenhancedthatwithacoupleveteranslikeJustinandBrandon(Phillips).There’sonlysomuchyoucandointhebatter’sbox.Youwanttobringiteverytime.Nomore,noless.It’swhereyoustart.We’vedoneaprettygoodjobofgettingbackingames.”

ALSO

UptoncameoutofSunday’sgameintheninthinningwhenhefeltsomecrampinghiship,whichhesaidwascausedbydehydration.HeisexpectedtobefinetoplayonMonday…

YunelEscobar(strainedoblique)hasbeenclearedtobeginswingingabatonMonday,Sciosciasaid.Escobarmaynotreturntotheminorsforarehabassignmentbeforebeingactivated.HeplayedtwogamesatClass-Alastweekbeforehavingasetback…

TheAngelsrecalledEduardoParedes,increasingtheiractiverosterto32players.Theyarelikelytocallupmoreplayers—JefryMarteandMikeMorin,themostlikelyamongthem—inthecomingdays.Playerswhoareoptionedcan’treturnwithin10daysunlesstheyarereplacinganinjuredplayer.

FROMANGELS.COM

Heaney’sstartsumsupAngels’rotationwoes

ByMariaGuardado/MLB.com

ARLINGTON -- Left-hander Andrew Heaney appeared to have turned a corner after firing six innings of one-run ball and striking out a career-high 10 in his last start against the A's. But he struggled to build off that success on Sunday, allowing five runs over 3 1/3 innings in the Angels' 7-6 loss to the Rangers, which sealed a series loss at Globe Life Park.

"It's pretty cut and dry," manager Mike Scioscia said. "He didn't have as crisp a command this afternoon, certainly with his breaking ball. He just didn't get a chance to bring that good mix that


he had last time in. He gave lot of counts back, missed some spots with his fastball that were close. He just had a tough time commanding counts."

Heaney walked four and allowed three home runs -- a pair of solo shots to Elvis Andrus and Delino DeShields and a two-run homer to Robinson Chirinos -- in the laborious 93-pitch outing. In four starts since returning from Tommy Johnsurgery,Heaneyhasyielded11homerunsover191/3innings.

"Igaveupacouple3-2homersonfastballs,"Heaneysaid."Whenyou'vegotagoodheatergoingandyou'vegota3-2count,alotoftimesyoucanbeatguys,getthemtokindofgetbigonaball,ormayberollaballoverorpoptheballup.TodayIdidn'thavethat,butIalsodidn'tdoagoodjoboftryingtothrowsomethingelsetokeeptheguysoffbalance."

Heaney'souting capped a tough weekend for the Angels' rotation. Tyler Skaggs, Ricky Nolasco and Heaney combined to give up 14 runs against the Rangers, and the longest start came from Nolasco, who gave up three runs over 5 2/3 innings on Saturday.

"We just didn't do the job on the mound," Scioscia said. "Last night, we did a little better job, but the whole series we didn't. We need to get that in order."

While the Angels addressed their two biggest offensive deficiencies by adding second baseman Brandon Phillips and left fielder Justin Upton on Thursday, they opted not to bring in pitching help, meaning any improvement from that arena will have to come from within. The Angels had been counting on Skaggs and Heaney to bolster their rotation, but the two lefties have recorded 5.86 and 6.98 ERAs, respectively, since returning from the disabledlist.

"Thepotentialisthere,"Sciosciasaid."Rightnow,they'vehitsomeroughpatches,buttheseguysaregoodpitchers."

Heaney,forhispart,remainsconfidentthathe'llbeabletoturnitaroundoverthefinalweeksoftheseasonandhelptheAngelsastheychaseanAmericanLeagueWildCardspot.

"Ifeelgoodaboutit,"Heaneysaid."Whenmyprocessisgood,theresultswillcome."

Worthnoting

•UptondepartedSunday'sgameafterwalkingintheninthinningduetosomecrampinginhiship.UptonsaidthathewassimplydehydratedbecauseoftheheatandexpectstobefineforMonday.

"Itriedtokeepupwithmyhydration,"saidUpton,whoreachedbase10timesinhisfirstseriesasanAngel."Ijustlosttoday."

•Yunel Escobar (rightobliquestrain)isscheduledtobeginswingingabatonMonday,Sciosciasaid.Escobarhadstartedarehabassignmentlastweek,buthewaspulledbackduetoaboutofbackstiffness.


•TheAngelsrecalledright-hander Eduardo Paredes fromTriple-ASaltLakeonSunday.Theynowhave32playersontheiractiveroster.

Angels’rallyin9thcomesupshortinTexas

ByT.R.SullivanandMariaGuardado/MLB.com

ARLINGTON--Elvis Andrus hit two home runs while Robinson Chirinos and Delino DeShields hit back-to-back shots in leading the Rangers to a 7-6 victory over the Angels on Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Park.

The Rangers ended up taking two of three from the Angels and are now three games behind the Twins in the race for the second American League Wild Card spot. The Angelsremain11/2backaftertheTwinslosttotheRoyals.

TheAngelstrailed7-3goingintotheninthbeforerallyingforthreeruns.TheyhadthebasesloadedandtwooutsbeforetheRangersfinallyhungonforthewin.

"Wedon'texpectanythingtobeeasythistimeoftheyear,especiallywiththelandscapeoftherosters,"RangersmanagerJeffBanistersaid."Ourguyscontinuetogrind,that'swhotheyare,that'stheirDNA.Ilovetheseguys,theybeenwrittenoffbuttheyarenotgivingup,theyarenotgoingaway.Theyaregoingtocontinuetoplay.Itdoesn'talwayslookpretty,buttheyfindwaystogetthingsdone."

Rangers starter Martin Perez earned his sixth straight victory by holding the Angels to three runs in six innings. Perez has an ERA of 3.15 ERA in those six starts in matching the longest winning streak of his career. This was his 11th win, also a career high for one season.

Andrew Heaney took the loss, allowing five runs in 3 1/3 innings. He is now 1-1 with a 6.98 ERA in four starts since returning from Tommy John elbow reconstruction surgery.

"He didn't have as crisp a command this afternoon, certainly with his breaking ball," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He just didn't get a chance to bring that good mix that he had last time in. He gave a lot of counts back, missed some spots with his fastball that were close. He just had a tough time commanding counts this afternoon."

C.J. Cron's two-run double gave the Angels a 2-0 lead in the first, but the Rangers tied it on Will Middlebrooks' RBI single in the second and Andrus' first home run of the afternoon in the third. The Rangers went ahead for good in the fourth on Chirinos' two-run home run, followed by DeShields' shot.

The Rangers were leading 5-3 in the sixth when Andrus went deep again with a two-run home run off reliever reliever Keynan Middleton. It's the second time this season Andrus has hit two home runs in a game after doing it just once previously inhiscareer.HeisthefirstRangersshortstoptohavetwomulti-homergamesinoneseasonsinceAlexRodriguezhadthreein2003.


MOMENTSTHATMATTEREDUnlikelybacktoback:Theback-to-backhomerunsbyChirinosandDeShieldsmarkedthefourthtimetheRangershavedonethatthisseason.ComingintoSunday,Chirinoshadhitjustthreehomersin32gamessincetheAll-Starbreak,afterslugging12in38gamesbeforethebreak.DeShieldshadjustthreein280at-batsontheseason.Hisratioofonehomerunforevery93.33at-batswasthefourthhighestintheAmericanLeague.

"WeknowwhenDelinoisplayinglikethisandgivingusthiskindofeffort,heisanexcitingplayerthatcanreallysparkouroffense,"Banistersaid.

"Igaveupacouple3-2homersonfastballs,"Heaneysaid."Whenyou'vegotagoodheatergoingandyou'vegota3-2count,alotoftimesyoucanbeatguys,getthemtokindofgetbigonaball,ormayberollaballoverorpoptheballup.TodayIdidn'thavethat,butIalsodidn'tdoagoodjoboftryingtothrowsomethingelsetokeeptheguysoffbalance."

MiddlebrookssavesPerez:FirstbasemanMiddlebrooksmadeahugedefensiveplayinthelastbatterPerezfacedinthegame.Anerrorbythirdbaseman Joey Gallo on Cliff Pennington's grounder left the Angels with two on and two outs in the sixth. Brandon Phillips followed with a line drive that Middlebrooks snagged with a leaping catch to take away an RBI singleandendtheinning.

"Wehittheballhardwithsomeguysinscoringposition,"Sciosciasaid,"Simba[AndreltonSimmons],Gallomadeadivingstoponhisball.Middlebrooksjumpedupandsavedarun.Ontheoffensiveside,eventhoughwedidn'thavealotgoingearly,weputourselvesinsomepositions,andunfortunatelywedidn'tgetsomehitstofallin."

Barnettegetshard-earnedsave:RangersrelieverTony Barnette,holdinga7-3lead,gaveupatwo-rundoubletoAndrelton Simmonswithoneoutintheninth,leavingrunnersatsecondandthird.ButhestruckoutCron.Kole Calhounwasintentionallywalkedandpinch-hitterKaleb Cowartwalkedtoforceinarun.BarnettefinallycloseditoutbygettingLuis ValbuenaonagroundertothirdbasemanGallotoendthethreat.

"I'mhappytheteamgotthewin,"Barnettesaid."Obviouslyatoughspot;they'vegotguysallthroughthatlineupthatcandodamage.Walksalmostcamebacktohauntmebutwegotthewin,that'sallthatmatters."

GOMEZTOSSEDRangerscenterfielderCarlos GomezwasejectedfromSunday'sgameinthethirdinningbyhomeplateumpireMikeEstabrookaftergettingrunguponacalledthirdstrike.GomezhadalreadyclashedwithEstabrookonSaturdaynight.Gomezwasn'thappywhenEstabrook,umpiringfirstbase,ruledthathewentaroundonacheckswingforstrikethreetoendtheseventhinning.GomezcouldbesubjectedtofurtherdisciplinefromSundayforflinginghisbatallthewayouttofirstbaseashewalkedbacktothedugout.


"Somethingwassaid,Miketookoffenseandthrewhimoutofthegame,"Banistersaid."HereweareinthemonthofSeptemberandwhereweareat,it'semotional.We'refightingforeverysinglepitchandsometimesemotionsrunhigh."

UPONFURTHERREVIEWGallotriedtostealthirdwithtwooutsinthefifthandwasinitiallycalledsafe,buttheAngelschallengedthecallafterPenningtonappearedtotagGallobeforehislefthandtouchedthebase.Thecallwasoverturnedfollowingareplayreview,endingtheinningfortheRangers.

WHAT'SNEXTAngels:TheAngelswillheadtoOaklandandopenathree-gameseriesagainsttheA'sonMondayat1:05p.m.PTattheColiseum.Rookieright-handerParker Bridwell(7-2,3.52ERA)willstarttheopenerfortheAngels.BridwelliscomingoffhisworststartoftheseasonagainsttheA'sonWednesday,whenheallowedacareer-highsevenrunsoverthreeinnings.

Rangers:Right-handerAndrew CashnerpitchesagainsttheBravesat6:35p.m.CTMondayatSunTrustStadium.Cashneris5-2witha2.58ERAanda1.04WHIPinhislastninestarts.ThiswillbetheRangers'first-evergameatSunTrustandfirsttriptoAtlantasince2011.

BullpenoftheWeek:Angels

ByDougMiller/MLB.com

TheAngelsarehangingintheAmericanLeagueWildCardrace.DespitealosstotheRangersonSunday,theyaretiedwiththeOriolesameretwogamesbehindtheYankeesforthefirstspotand11/2gamesbehindtheTwinsforthesecond.

Oneofthereasonsthey'vebeenplayingbetterbaseballoflatehasbeentheemergenceofanall-hands-on-deckreliefpitchingcorpsthat'sbeenlights-outoflate.Thattrendcontinuedinthepastweek,duringwhichtheAngelswonfourofsixtokeeppaceinthestandings,andtheworkbytheirrelieverswasenoughtoearnthemthehonorof"BullpenoftheWeekpresentedbyTheHartford."

AspartoftheMLBPrevailingMomentsprogram,eachMondaythroughoutthe2017season,MLB.comishonoringthe"BullpenoftheWeekpresentedbyTheHartford."Anindustry-widepanelofMLBexperts,includinglegendarystatsguruBillJames,constructedametricbasedonJames'widelyrenownedgame-scoreformula,toprovideaweeklymeasurementofteam-bullpenperformance.

BULLPENOFTHEWEEKWINNERS

Week Team

1 Rockies


Week Team

2 Reds

3 Astros

4 Angels

5 Indians

6 Angels

7 Astros

8 Dodgers

9 Marlins

10 RedSox

11 Dodgers

12 Giants

13 Brewers

14 Cubs

15 Yankees

16 Twins

17 Nationals


Week Team

18 Dodgers

Here'showtheBullpenRatingSystemiscompiledforeachweek.Forreference,aweeklyscoreof100isconsideredoutstanding:

•Add1.5pointsforeachoutrecorded•Add1.5pointsforeachstrikeout•Add5pointsforasave•Subtract2pointsforeachhitallowed•Subtract4pointsforeachearnedrunallowed•Subtract2pointsforeachunearnedrunallowed•Subtract1pointforeachwalk•Subtract5pointsforablownsave

TheAngels'bullpenscoredaratingof109.5pointsbyallowingsevenearnedrunsand21hitsinaheavy301/3inningsofwork.Relieversstruckout30battersagainst15walks,andnewcloserBlake Parkercollectedtheteam'sthreesaves.

Parkerwasastandout,with31/3scorelessinningsandfivestrikeoutsinthreegamesduringtheweek,aswereYusmeiro Petit(threegames,threeshutoutinnings,onehit)andJose Alvarez(fourgames,21/3scorelessinnings,twostrikeouts).

Theunexpected:It'sgenerallynotthewaythemanagerdrawsitupwhenstartingpitchersdon'tmakeitpastthefourthinning,andthathappenedfourtimesoverthepastsixgamesfortheAngels.Troy Scribnerlastedonly22/3inningsathomevs.OaklandonTuesday,Parker BridwellwasknockedoutWednesdayaftergivingupsevenrunstotheA'sinthreeinnings,Tyler Skaggswaschasedaftergivingupsixruns(fiveearned)intwoinningsinTexasonFriday,andAndrew Heaneygaveupfiverunsonsixhitsandfourwalksin31/3inningsinSunday'sstartinTexas.

Howtheyprevailed:Withalotofrelieverspitchingin.TheAngelsmanagedtoscrapeouta6-2victoryonTuesdayafterthebullpentookcareofthelast61/3inningswithshutoutball.OnWednesday,theAngelswereabletorallypasttheA'sfora10-8victoryafterthebullpenpitchedsixinningsandgaveuponlyonerun.AndeventhoughtheylostonFridayandSunday,bothwereone-rungamesandwouldnothavebeenthatcloseifnotforAngels'firemencombiningfor102/3moreinnings.

TheAngels'relieversfinishedaheadoftheSanDiegoPadres,whofinishedinsecondplacewith94.5points,andtheLosAngelesDodgers,whowerethirdwitharatingof90.5.


BridwelllookstoreboundinopenerwithA’s

ByMariaGuardado/MLB.com

RookieParkerBridwellwilllooktoreboundfromhisworstoutingoftheseasononMondaywhenhetakesontheA'sintheirseriesopeneragainsttheAngelsattheColiseum.BridwellwillstartoppositeChrisSmith,whoisstillsearchingforhisfirstwinoftheyearforOakland.

Bridwellsurrenderedacareer-highsevenrunsoverthreeinningsinhislaststartagainsttheA'sonWednesdayatAngelStadium.The26-year-oldright-handeropenedthegamewiththreescorelessinningsbeforeunravelinginthefourth,whenhefacedsevenbattersandallowedtheA'stoscoresevenrunsbeforerecordinganout.Bridwellultimatelycameawaywithano-decisionaftertheAngelsralliedfora10-8win.

"Hehadaroughgamebecauseoftheexecution,"AngelsmanagerMikeSciosciasaid."Hegotbehindcounts.Hedefinitelydidn'tbringhisbestgamewithhimonthatdaythathepitchedagainstOaklandathome.He'llbeready."

WednesdaymarkedBridwell'sonlycareerappearanceagainsttheA's.TheAngelsare12-2ingameshehasstartedthisseason.

SmithwillalsoaimtodeliverabouncebackeffortfortheA'safteryieldingsevenruns(sixearned)over32/3inningsinhislaststartagainsttheAngelsonTuesday.The36-year-oldhasloggeda6.27ERAinnineoutingsforOaklandthisseason.

Threethingstoknowaboutthisgame

•Aftersweepingtheirthree-gameseriesinAnaheimlastweek,theAngelscurrentlyleadtheseasonseriesagainsttheA's,10-6.

•LuisValbuenawilllikelyreturntotheAngels'lineuponMondayandstartatthirdbase.Valbuena,whohasbeenplatooningwithCliffPenningtonatthirdsinceYunelEscobarlandedonthedisabledlist,satoutSunday'sseriesfinaleagainsttheRangersbecausetheAngelsfacedleft-handerMartinPerez.EnteringSunday,Valbuenahadhitsixhomerunsinhislast14games.

•Since2013,MikeTroutisbatting.336with23homerunsand55RBIsin83gamesagainsttheA's.

FROMTHEASSOCIATEDPRESS

Elvisleavesbuildingtwice,RangersbeatAngels7-6

AssociatedPress/StephenHawkins

ARLINGTON,Texas(AP)--ElvisAndrushittwoofthefourTexashomerunsandtheRangersheldonbeattheLosAngelesAngels7-6Sundayintherubbergameofaserieswithwild-cardimplicationsforbothteams.


TheRangers(68-68)wentaheadtostaywhenRobinsonChirinosandDelinoDeShieldshitback-to-backhomersinthefourthinning.No.9hitterChirinos'two-runhomertiedthegameat4beforeDeShieldswentdeep.

Withfourweeksleftintheregularseason,TexaswaswithinthreegamesofMinnesotafortheAL'ssecondwild-cardspot.TheAngels(70-67)are11/2gamesbackofthatplayoffspot.

MartinPerez(11-10)threwacareer-high117pitchesoversixinningstowinhissixthstraightstart.

TonyBarnetteearnedhissecondsaveinsixchancesaftercomingonwithtwoonandnooutsintheninth.Barnettegaveatwo-rundoubletoAndreltonSimmonsaftergettingAlbertPujolsonapopoutwiththebasesloaded,andbeforeawalkforcedinanotherrun.

AndrewHeaney(1-1)hasallowed11homersin191-3inningsoverfourgamessincegettingcalleduplastmonth.

C.J.CronputtheAngelsaheadwithatwo-rundoubleinthefirst.Histwo-runhomerwithtwooutsintheninthinningSaturdaynighttiedthegametheAngelswonin10innings.

WillMiddlebrookshadanRBIsingleintheTexassecond,andAndrusledoffthethirdwithatyinghomer.Andrushitatwo-runshot,his18th,inthesixthafterDeShieldswalked.

LONG,LONGTIME

Thegametook3hours,49minutestoplay,theshortestoftheseriesthathadacombinedplayingtimeof12hours,31minutes.TheopenerFridaytook4hours,33minutes-thelongestnine-inninggameinthehistoryofbothfranchises.The10-inninggameSaturdaytook4hours,9minutes.

TRAINER'SROOM

Angels:CloserBudNorris(sorerightknee)iseligibletobeactivatedfromthedisabledlistWednesday.Theright-handerexpectstobereadytopitchthen.

Rangers:AdrianBeltre(strainedlefthamstring)wasplacedonthe10-daydisabledlist.Eventhoughtherostershavebeenexpanded,thatmovehadtobemadetoallowtherecallofRHPNickGardewinefromDouble-AFriscosinceithadbeenlessthan10dayssincethepitcherwassentdownfromanearlystintwiththeRangers....RHPKeonaKela,outnearlyamonthbecauseofrightshouldersoreness,issettothrowanotherbullpensessionMonday.

UPNEXT

Angels:BacktotheWestCoast,andadaygameMondayatOaklandinaseriesopener.

Rangers:AholidayreunionwithformermanagerRonWashington,whoisAtlanta'sthirdbasecoach.TheRangersopenathree-gameinterleagueseriesatAtlantaonMondaynight.


FROMMLBTRADERUMORS

Rosenthal’sLatest:Herrera,Upton,Verlander

ByMarkPolishuk

FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal shares some hot stove items in his latest Full Count video…

• It wouldn’t be a surprise if the Royals dealt Kelvin Herrera this winter, as the closer is in line for a big salary bump in his last year of arbitration eligibility. Rosenthal estimates Herrera will earn something in the $7.5-$8MM range in 2018, up from the $5.325MM Herrera earned this season. Brandon Maurer or Ryan Buchter could take over as Kansas City’s closer if Herrera is dealt. Herrera drew some trade buzz earlier this season as one of the many bullpen options the Nationals were exploring, and surely he would garner interest this offseason, even if Herrera hasn’t quite been as dominant this season as in recent years. This all assumes, of course, that Herrera’s current forearm issue doesn’t prove to be anything serious. With Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer all potential leaving K.C. in free agency this winter, a Herrera trade could further portend the start of a rebuild for the Royals.

• The Angels were one of Justin Upton’s targets when he was a free agent two winters ago, and he has a home in Arizona, which could facilitate remaining on the west coast if he doesn’t opt out of his contract. Ultimately, Upton’s September performance will decide whether or not he chooses to stick with the Angels or opt out of the four years and $88.5MM remaining on his deal. In an MLBTR pollfrom Thursday, just under 56% of respondents feel Upton will indeed opt out and look for a bigger deal this winter.

• Reports have suggested that Justin Verlander was initially hesitant to waive his no-trade clause and join the Astros, as he would’ve preferred to instead be dealt to the Cubs or Dodgers. As Rosenthal notes, “there’s no guarantee” either Chicago or L.A. would have looked to acquire Verlander in the offseason, so the former Cy Young Award winner decided to join a contender now rather than stay with the rebuilding Tigers. Rosenthal also points out the interesting fact that Minute Maid Park has been the most depressed run-scoring environment of any ballpark in the league since the start of the 2016 season, belying its hitter-friendly reputation.

FROMCBSSPORTS

MLBSundayscores,highlights,updates,news:NLwild-cardraceheatingup

ByDaynPerry&MikeAxisa

Sundaybroughtusafullslateof15MLBgames.Let'sdiveintoourrecapofthedayinbaseball,shallwe?


Finalscores

Phillies3,Marlins1in12innings(box score)Indians11,Tigers1(box score)Pirates3,Reds1(box score)Orioles5,Blue Jays4in12innings(box score)Brewers7,Nationals2(box score)Royals5,Twins4(box score)Astros8,Mets6(box score)White Sox6,Rays2(box score)Braves5,Cubs1(box score)Rangers7,Angels6(box score)Diamondbacks5,Rockies1(box score)Cardinals7,Giants3(box score)Mariners10,Athletics2(box score)Padres6,Dodgers4(box score)Red SoxatYankees(GameTracker)

Rockies'wildcardleadcontinuestodwindle

TheDiamondbacksareredhotandthatwasbadnewsfortheRockiesthisweekend.ArizonaswepttheRockiesinCoorsFieldandthey'venowopeneda61/2gameleadforthetopwild-cardspot.TheD-Backshavewon10straightgames.TheRockieshavelostfourstraight.

Ofcourse,Colorado'sissuesextendbeyondthisweekend.TheRockiesare20-25inthesecondhalfandhaveseentheirleadforthesecondwild-cardspotshrinktoa1/2game--1/2game!--overthesurgingBrewers.TheRockieshada51/2gameleadovertheBrewersasrecentlyasAug.5.Thatleadhasbeenallbuterased.

Sadly,theRockiesandBrewersdonothaveanyhead-to-headgamesremainingthisseason.Thosewould'vebeenfun.Afterthisweekend,theRockieshavetoforgetallabouttheD-Backsandthetopwild-cardspot.TheyhavetofocusonholdingofftheBrewers,otherwisewhatoncelookedlikeadreamseasonisgoingtoendindisappointment.

RamirezgoesoffasTribewins11thstraight

Asyouseeabove,theIndiansonSundaydominatedtheTigers,andindoingsowontheir11thstraightgame.TheTribenowboastsarundifferentialof+179,whichissecondonlytothatoftheDodgers,andtheyremainwithincloserangeoftheAstrosintheracefortopoverallseedintheAL.

CentraltoSunday'swinwasthirdbasemanJose Ramirez.Checkouthishonestday'swork:

We've already made note of his two Tiger-aided homers,andhere'stheweirdestofthose...


Anyhow,thosetwohomerunsaccountforjust40percentofRamirez'sextra-basehitsontheday.Speakingofwhich...

Ramirezbecamethe10thplayerinhistorywithfiveextra-basehitsinasinglegameSunday,andforthosecounting,RamireznowleadsallofMLBwith75extra-basehits.StealthALMVPcandidate?Ramirezisaplusfielderatthehotcorner,headdsvalueonthebases,andhe'snowbatting.310/.362/.554with22homersand47doubles.Jose Altuveisstillthefavoriteatthiswriting,butRamirez,whowastop10intheALinWARcomingintoSunday,isverymuchinthediscussion.

Moreimportantly,theIndiansonSundayreducedtheirmagicnumberintheALCentralto19.

TheBrewershavemadeitthrougharoughstretchofschedule

TheBrewersblankedtheNationalsonSundayandindoingsotookthreeoffourfromoneofthebestteamsintheNL.That'ssignificantinandofitself,andit'salsosignificantinalargersense.Withthatwin,theBrewerswrappedupa15-gamestretchthatsawthemplayanine-gameroadswingoutwest(includingsixgamesagainsttheDiamondbacksandDodgers)andthenplaysixagainsttheCardinalsandNats.CompoundingmattersisthefactthattheCubs,overasimilarstretch,playedtheReds,BlueJays,Phillies,Pirates,andBraves--losingteamsall.Goingintothatrun,theBrewersweretwogamesbehindtheCubsintheNLCentral.Comingouttheotherside,they're31/2gamesback.Yes,that'sworse,butitconstitutesprettygoodsurvivalskillsonthepartofMilwaukee,giventhescheduledisparities.They'recloserintheraceforthesecondNLwild-cardberth,butthey'restillverymuchinrangeoftheCubs.

Movingforward,theBrewerswillplay15gamesagainstlosingteamsandthreeagainstthe.500-ishCardinalsandotherwisegetsevenhead-to-headcracksattheCubs.Giventheschedule,theBrewerscould'veveryeasilycarvedoutanimpossiblesituationforthemselvesinrecentdays.Byinsteadgoing9-6overthatspan,theyverymuchkepttheirpostseasonhopesalive.

CorreareturnstoAstros

OnSunday,theAstrosgotamuch-neededshotinthearmwhenfranchisecornerstoneCarlos Correareturnedfromthedisabledlist.Hebattedcleanupandmannedhisusualshortstop.Correamissedthelast42gamesbecauseofatornthumbligamentinhislefthand--aninjurythatrequiredsurgery.OnSunday,heresumedanage-22campaignthat'sseenhimbat.320/.400/.566(165OPS+)with20homersin84games.That'soutstandingproductionforanyone,letaloneashortstop.

Correawent1for3withawalkinhisteam'swinovertheMets,andhisreturnwasneeded.WhiletheAstroshaveanall-butinsurmountableleadintheALWest,theIndians'recentsurgehasputHoustonindangerofcedingthetopoverallseedintheAL.Inrelatedmatters,thisisateamthatwent20-22whileCorreawashurt.Speakingofwhich...

It'stoosimplistictosaytheAstrosarethatmuchworsewithoutCorreainthelineup,butthere'snodoubttheymissedhimbadly.Hehasaboutamonthnowtogetbackuptospeedandshakeoffanyrustfromthe42-gamelayoff.


SpeakingofCorreaandotherwelcomeadditionstotheHoustonroster,pleaseregardthisintersectionofincomingsuperstars:

Donaldsonpositioninghimselfasoffseasontradecandidate

BlueJaysthirdbasemanJosh Donaldsonhasbeenlimitedto93gamesplayedthisseasonthankstoacalfstrain.Hehitwellafterreturning,butDonaldsonthenenduredaprolongedslumparoundmid-season--asrecentlyaslateJuly,hehadanOPSsouthof.800.Then,however,Donaldsonbatted.289/.421/.711inAugustandhadkeptitupthusfarinSeptember.Speakingofwhich,here'swhathedidagainsttheOriolesonSunday:

Yes,alittleoppopowerfromtheBringerofRain.ThatwasDonaldson's25thhomeroftheseason,andfor2017he'snowbattingamorecharacteristic.260/.384/.534.GiventhatDonaldson'sJaysdon'thaveaparticularlyencouragingnear-termoutlook,itseemspossiblethatthey'lllooktotradehimthiscomingoffseason.Onthatfront,here's Nick Cafardo from his must-read Sunday Baseball Notes column...

RememberwhenDonaldsonusedtobewillingtodiveintothestands?Therearetimesnowwhenhedoesn'trunoutballstofirstbase,andit'sbeennoticed.Don'tbeshockediftheJayslistentooffersforhimthisoffseason.

Sothere'ssomeshadebakedinthere,butthepointisthattheJayssoundlikethey'rereadytopartwayswiththeirfranchisethirdbaseman.Donaldson'sgotonemoreyearofteamcontrolbeforehehitsfreeagency,andgiventhewayhe'sbeengoingattheplateheshouldelicitplentyofinterestthiswinter.

O'scomebacklateforclutchwin

DespiteDonaldson's heroics, the Blue Jays could not hold a one-run ninth inning lead Sunday. Closer Roberto Osuna blew the save when Welington Castillo blasted a game-tying solo home run in the ninth. It was his second dinger of the afternoon.

The O's went on to win the game in 12 innings on Mark Trumbo's walk-off double. Baltimore's bullpen held the Blue Jays to one run in eighth innings after Chris Tillman went four-and-fly.

With the win, the Orioles are now tied with the Angels in the standings and 1 1/2 games behind the Twins for the second wild-card spot. The O's willhostthewildcard-leadingYankeesthiscomingweek,givingthemachancetomakeupalotofgroundinashortperiodoftime.

BellingersetsDodgersrookiehome-runrecord

TheDodgerslostyetagainSunday--they'venowlosteightoftheirlastninegames,ifyoucanbelievethat--thoughrookiesensationCody Bellingerdidmakethingsinterestingwithhisninth-inninghomerunagainsttoughleftyBrad Hand.Here'sthevideo:


ThatwashomerunNo.36oftheseasonforBellinger,breakingMike Piazza'sfranchiserecordforarookie.Hereisthefranchise'ssingle-seasonhomerunleaderboardamongrookieeligibleplayers:

1. 2017CodyBellinger:36andcounting

2. 1993MikePiazza:35

3. 2016Corey Seager:26

4. 2015Joc Pederson:26

Pedersonhas36homerunsandYankeessluggerAaron Judgehas37homerunsthisseason.It'sthefirsttimeinbaseballhistorytworookieshavehit35-plushomerunsinthesameseason.

TheDodgers,bytheway,havelostthreestraightseriesforthefirsttimesince2014,andarenowonpacefor"merely"110winsthisseason.Theywereonpacefor116winspriortothislittle1-8stretch.

TwinsletaleadslipawayagainstRoyals

Thankstoamolten-hotAugust,theTwinsaresittinginthesecondwild-cardspotandhaveachancetogotothepostseasonforthefirsttimesince2010.Todothatthough,theycan'tcontinuelettingleadsslipawayliketheydidSunday.

MinnesotahadtheleadtwiceagainsttheRoyalsintheirseriesfinale.Eduardo Escobarsmashedatwo-runhomeruninthefifthtogivetheTwinsa2-1lead,thenByron Buxtonplatedtwofora4-3leadinthesixth.Lorenzo Cainansweredwithatwo-runtripleintheseventh.Here's the video.

TheTwinswastedaleadofftwo-baseerrorintheninth--Alex Gordonletacatchableflyballclankoffhisglove--andlost5-4.They11/2gamesupontheAngelsandOriolesforthesecondwild-cardspot.ThosegameslikeSundayaretheonesthatwillhauntyouthough.Theyhadtwoleads--one-runleads,butleadsnonetheless--andcouldn'tprotecteither.

GiolitodominatesagainstforWhiteSox

Right-handerLucas Giolito,theprizeoftheAdam Eatontrade,hadanotherstrongstartfortheWhiteSoxonSunday.HeheldtheRaystoonerunonthreehitsandonewalkinseveninnings,strikingout10.

Giolitowascalleduplastmonthandhisfirststartdidnotgotoowell(fourrunsinsixinnings),butlasttimeouthethrewsevenshutoutinningsagainsttheTigers,andSundayhethrewseveninningsofone-runballagainsttheRays.WithbothChris SaleandJose Quintanahavingbeentraded,theChiSoxarehopingGiolitoemergesastheaceoftheirnextcontendingrotation.

Quickhits

• TheincomingMarlinsownershipgroupmay be planning to slash payroll.


• MarlinsOFGiancarlo StantonhasbeennamedNLPlayeroftheMonthforAugust,andOrioles3BManny MachadohasbeennamedALPlayeroftheMonth.

• IndiansSPCorey KluberhasbeennamedALPitcheroftheMonthforAugust,andCubsSPJake ArrietahasbeennamedNLPlayeroftheMonth.

• BryanPricewillreturntomanagetheRedsin2018,reports C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

• ThePirateshaveplacedINFJosh Harrisononthe10-dayDLwithabrokenfingeronhislefthand.It'spossiblehe'llmisstheremainderoftheseason.

• AngelsSPGarrett RichardswillreturntotherotationonTuesday.He'sbeenlimitedtoonlyonestartthisseasonbecauseofabicepsinjury.

• TheTwinshavereinstatedCJason CastrofromtheDL.

• TheYankeeshaveplacedOFAaron HicksontheDLwithastrainedleftoblique.

• TheRangershaveplaced3BAdrian BeltreontheDLwithalefthamstringstrain.

• TheDodgershaveactivatedSPAlex WoodfromtheDL.

FROMESPN

Dailynotes:PitcherandhitterrankingsforMonday

ByToddZola

Ashasbeenthecaseforthepastseveralyears,MLBgracesuswithafullLaborDayslatewithstarttimesstaggeredthroughouttheafternoonandearlyevening.Mondayalsomarksthestartofthefinalmonthoftheseason,asthereareonlyfourmoreweeksremaininginthemarathonseason.

Eventhoughyoudon'tneedtofillemptyrosterspotsasusualtokickofftheweek,there'satreasuretroveofhittingtofortifyyouroffense,aswellassomepitchingavailabletogetthescoringperiodoffontherighttrack.

Pitching

Alex Cobb(R),46percentownershipinESPNleagues,Tampa Bay Raysvs.Minnesota Twins:I'malittlesurprisedCobbisunderthe50percentthresholdboundingpotentialstreamers.Though,apedestrian6.1K/9likelycurtailshisownership.Still,athomeinTropicanaField,Cobbisingoodshapeforasolideffortinlinewithhis3.72ERAand1.21WHIP.


R.A. Dickey(R),21percent,Atlanta Bravesvs.Texas Rangers:Normally,apitcherregisteringa2.97ERAoverthepasttwomonthswouldbemorewidelyowned.But,there'ssomethinguneasyabouttrustingaknuckleballartist.There'srisk,buttheRangerswillbewithouttheirdesignatedhitter,nottomentionweakenedwithAdrian BeltrenursingaGrade2left-hamstringstrain.

Jake Junis(R),13percent,Kansas City RoyalsatDetroit Tigers:Junishasbeentypicallyinconsistentforarookie,buthecanbeeffectivewhenspottedinafavorablescenario.TakingonadepletedTigerslineupqualifiesasatimetorollhimoutthere.

Mark Leiter Jr.(R),6percent,Philadelphia PhilliesatNew York Mets:Leiterismakingacasefora2018rotationspot,sportinga3.88ERAand1.23WHIPin65frames.TheMetsarealsousingapatchworklineupandhavepredictablystruggledscoringrunsasoflate.

Pitcherstoavoid

PerhapsbecauseI'maggressive,especiallyearlyintheweek,there'snoonecausingmeanypause.

Bullpen

ItappearsBlake Parkerisnowthefull-timecloserfortheAngelsandnotjustPlanBwhenCam Bedrosianworkedthepreviouscontest.Obviously,anythingcanhappeninafour-weekperiod,butpersonalresearchsuggestswinningteamswithlowERAsgeneratemoresavesthanothersquads.WiththeHalos'revampedoffenseandpotentiallygoodpitchingastherotationgethealthy,ParkershouldbeamongSeptember'sleadersinsaves.

Hitting

Catcher

Welington Castillo(R),47percent,Baltimore Oriolesvs.New York Yankees(LHPJaime Garcia):Garciahasn'ttossedapitchinthesixthinningsinceAug.28.Hehasn'tbeenacompletedisappointment,buttheYankeescertainlyexpectedmore.TheOriolesshouldhaveaproductivegame,soCastillowillhavechancestocontributeevenfromthelowerpartoftheorder.Joey Rickardisalsoanoption.

Firstbase

Dominic Smith(L),6percent,NewYorkMetsvs.PhiladelphiaPhillies(RHPMarkLeiterJr.):Leiterwaslistedasagoodspotstarter,butheisn'tdominantenoughtoavoidpotentiallygoodmatchups.SmithalongwithJose Reyes,Brandon Nimmo,Norichika AokiandAsdrubal Cabreraareallinplay.

Secondbase

Brandon Phillips(R),48percent,Los Angeles AngelsatOakland Athletics(RHPChris Smith):Smithhasservedup12ofhis13homerstorighties,whichisdangerous,consideringtheAngels


aremostlyaright-handedattack.Phillipsleadsthewayatopthelineup.Kole Calhounisalsointhemix.

Thirdbase

Yandy Diaz(R),1percent,Cleveland IndiansatChicago White Sox(RHPJames Shields):Diazhascarvedoutaregularrole,playingagainstbothleft-andright-handers.Hedoesn'thitforalotofpowerbutisanon-basemachine.TheTribeareinagreatspottostayonacollectivehotstreak.Bradley ZimmerandLonnie ChisenhallareotherIndianstoconsider.

Shortstop

Eric Sogard(L),1percent,Milwaukee BrewersatCincinnati Reds(RHPHomer Bailey):Sogardhascooledsignificantlyfromearlyintheseason,buthe'sstillinagreatspot,leadingoffagainstoneoftheweakestarmsonthedocket.Witharightyonthehill,Stephen Vogtisanoption,aswell.

Cornerinfield

Rio Ruiz(L),lessthan1percent,AtlantaBravesvs.TexasRangers(RHPAndrew Cashner):Trustingtheprocessdespitetheoutcomemeansyouhavetobewillingtoacceptoccasionallybeingburnedwhensomeonecontinuallydefiesamediocreskillset.Forme,thatsomeoneisCashner.Irefusetobuyintohisabilitytoinduceweakcontact,mitigatingameek4.7K/9andaboveaverage3.3BB/9.Theroofwilleventuallycavein,soI'mnotafraidtousehittersagainsttheRangers'righty.WiththetradeofPhillips,Ruizisgettinganotherlookatthehotcorner,enjoyingtheplatoonedgeonMonday.

Middleinfield

Kolten Wong(L),21percent,St. Louis CardinalsatSan Diego Padres(RHPLuis Perdomo):Wonghasbeenhittingeitherleadofforfifth,bothnicepositionsforfantasypurposes.Perdomohastossedafewsolidgamesbutingeneralsportsbelowaverageskillsandhasn'tbeenmissingmanybatslately.

Outfield

Ben Zobrist(B),39percent,Chicago CubsatPittsburgh Pirates(RHPChad Kuhl):TheCubshavescoredthemostrunssincetheAll-Starbreak,byfar,averagingmorethansixtalliespercontest.Forobviousreasons,notalotofCubshittersareavailableforpickup,sobeingabletograbZobristcangetsomeexposure,oftenfromtheleadoffspot.

Nick Williams(L),18percent,PhiladelphiaPhilliesatNewYorkMets(RHPRafael Montero):Rhys Hoskinshasbeeninthespotlight,whileWilliamshasquietlyputupastrong.811OPSsincehiscall-up.Asexpected,hehasbeenmoreeffectivewiththeplatoonedge,puttinghiminagreatspotfromthe3-holeagainstalesserright-hander.


Brandon Moss(L),2percent,KansasCityRoyalsatDetroitTigers(RHPArtieLewicki):TheRoyalshavehadtroublepushingrunnersacrosstheplatelately,butfacingLewikci,theyshouldbeinlineforarareproductiveaffair.Mossishittinglowintheorderbuthasthepowertodosomedamage.

Documents

(Sept. 4, 2017) · Sept. 4, 2017 Page 2 of 24 Today’s Clips Contents FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIME (Page 3) • Late Angels rally not enough to overcome poor pitching FROM THE ORANGE