Post by Commissioner Erick on Nov 14, 2019 19:13:39 GMT -5
Los Angeles Angels (46-64) @ Chicago White Sox (68-42)
LAA: Christopher Molina (1-4, 10.59)
CHW: Carlos Rodon (8-4, 3.48)
It hasn't been a good season for the Los Angeles Angels. They're second to last in runs scored, they're last in starter's ERA, they don't have a good system, and they're expensive. Essentially, any way a team can be bad, the Angels have been bad. On the other side, the Angels have gone 8-5 on days where a Game of the Week has aired, so maybe they're destined to have a good performance when they're the game everyone will see. They have their work cut out though as the best offense in the American League has been rocking and rolling all season and now has Andrew Benintendi back to wreak more havoc. This game could be a blowout, but the Angels wouldn't be the first team on the receiving end of a White Sox offensive explosion this year.
Players to Watch:
Angels:
SP—Christopher Molina:
Molina was twice a minor league All-Star, and with the Angels, without prospects or cash and needing to fill out a rotation, decided that was a good enough justification to make him one of their starters. He had a 6.00 ERA in Triple-A in 13 starts, and a 10.59 ERA in the majors in 10 outings. With a 2.18 WHIP, there isn't really a single redeemable quality for Molina as a starter. Considering the Angels' bullpen is tasked, and the White Sox have a historically lethal offense, this game could be a disaster.
C—Victor Caratini:
Caratini wasn't a bad haul for Cam Bedrosian a few years ago, but the switch-hitting catcher is likely miscast as a starter. He's never hit above .248 and has never smacked double-digit home runs, and until this year, wasn't particularly adept defensively. He's patient at the plate, and can smack a double, which are fine qualities in a player who starts no more than 55 times a year.
RP—Greg Mahle:
After a rough start to his career, Mahle has turned into a useful reliever. He currently is 5-0 with three saves and a 3.09 ERA. His strikeout rate has hovered around 24% the past three years, and he's been blessed with good BABIP fortune this year. Righties hit Mahle hard, but he's been a killer against left-handers the past three seasons, with lefty-bats hitting .141 off him this year. With the White Sox lineup exceptionally left-handed, this may be a fun challenge to watch.
White Sox:
SS—Dansby Swanson:
Swanson has been steady and reliable for Chicago this year, without numbers that jump off the page. He's hitting .285 with a .345 on-base percentage, both very good numbers. He has nine home runs and nine steals, plus 23 doubles. He's legged out seven triples, putting him second behind teammate Tim Anderson in the league leaderboard. He's on pace for run totals and RBI totals in the 90s. Solid. He has an average against lefties roughly 100 points better than his average against righties, but all his homers have come against righties. The question marks surrounding Swanson involve how he'll fare against the best right-handed pitchers in the postseason. He has a .432 OPS in the playoffs, facing a lot of right-handers. Mike Ball will need to know he can count on Swanson in the playoffs when the chips are on the line.
SP—Carlos Rodon:
Rodon previously pitched in a Game of the Week, getting hit hard in the first on the way to exiting after 3.2 innings. Aside from that, he's been terrific this season, with a 1.01 WHIP that would lead the league if Rodon qualified. Rodon's allowed just 17 walks in 95.2 innings, while he's struck out 106. Despite missing a season with a serious elbow injury, his stuff is still terrific and his command is the best it's ever been. Rodon has been electric this year and Chicago has won eight of his last nine starts as a result.
1B—Brendan McKay:
After a little bit of a slow start, mainly the result of bad luck on balls-in-play, McKay is performing as he has the last two seasons. In fact, McKay's triple slash and counting stats are eerily similar to his 2020 numbers. McKay's best quality is a good eye backed by a quick swing. He's fourth in the AL in walks, as he's always been discerning. His ability to get on base is so potent in an offense like Chicago's. If pitchers pound the zone though, McKay has excellent doubles power (he's sixth this year), and will hit in the low-20's in home runs over a full season. He should have a good game against an underwhelming staff like the Angels' staff.
TRIVIA: Which two players are first all time in Angels history in WSB (Weighted Stolen Base?)?
LAA: Christopher Molina (1-4, 10.59)
CHW: Carlos Rodon (8-4, 3.48)
It hasn't been a good season for the Los Angeles Angels. They're second to last in runs scored, they're last in starter's ERA, they don't have a good system, and they're expensive. Essentially, any way a team can be bad, the Angels have been bad. On the other side, the Angels have gone 8-5 on days where a Game of the Week has aired, so maybe they're destined to have a good performance when they're the game everyone will see. They have their work cut out though as the best offense in the American League has been rocking and rolling all season and now has Andrew Benintendi back to wreak more havoc. This game could be a blowout, but the Angels wouldn't be the first team on the receiving end of a White Sox offensive explosion this year.
Players to Watch:
Angels:
SP—Christopher Molina:
Molina was twice a minor league All-Star, and with the Angels, without prospects or cash and needing to fill out a rotation, decided that was a good enough justification to make him one of their starters. He had a 6.00 ERA in Triple-A in 13 starts, and a 10.59 ERA in the majors in 10 outings. With a 2.18 WHIP, there isn't really a single redeemable quality for Molina as a starter. Considering the Angels' bullpen is tasked, and the White Sox have a historically lethal offense, this game could be a disaster.
C—Victor Caratini:
Caratini wasn't a bad haul for Cam Bedrosian a few years ago, but the switch-hitting catcher is likely miscast as a starter. He's never hit above .248 and has never smacked double-digit home runs, and until this year, wasn't particularly adept defensively. He's patient at the plate, and can smack a double, which are fine qualities in a player who starts no more than 55 times a year.
RP—Greg Mahle:
After a rough start to his career, Mahle has turned into a useful reliever. He currently is 5-0 with three saves and a 3.09 ERA. His strikeout rate has hovered around 24% the past three years, and he's been blessed with good BABIP fortune this year. Righties hit Mahle hard, but he's been a killer against left-handers the past three seasons, with lefty-bats hitting .141 off him this year. With the White Sox lineup exceptionally left-handed, this may be a fun challenge to watch.
White Sox:
SS—Dansby Swanson:
Swanson has been steady and reliable for Chicago this year, without numbers that jump off the page. He's hitting .285 with a .345 on-base percentage, both very good numbers. He has nine home runs and nine steals, plus 23 doubles. He's legged out seven triples, putting him second behind teammate Tim Anderson in the league leaderboard. He's on pace for run totals and RBI totals in the 90s. Solid. He has an average against lefties roughly 100 points better than his average against righties, but all his homers have come against righties. The question marks surrounding Swanson involve how he'll fare against the best right-handed pitchers in the postseason. He has a .432 OPS in the playoffs, facing a lot of right-handers. Mike Ball will need to know he can count on Swanson in the playoffs when the chips are on the line.
SP—Carlos Rodon:
Rodon previously pitched in a Game of the Week, getting hit hard in the first on the way to exiting after 3.2 innings. Aside from that, he's been terrific this season, with a 1.01 WHIP that would lead the league if Rodon qualified. Rodon's allowed just 17 walks in 95.2 innings, while he's struck out 106. Despite missing a season with a serious elbow injury, his stuff is still terrific and his command is the best it's ever been. Rodon has been electric this year and Chicago has won eight of his last nine starts as a result.
1B—Brendan McKay:
After a little bit of a slow start, mainly the result of bad luck on balls-in-play, McKay is performing as he has the last two seasons. In fact, McKay's triple slash and counting stats are eerily similar to his 2020 numbers. McKay's best quality is a good eye backed by a quick swing. He's fourth in the AL in walks, as he's always been discerning. His ability to get on base is so potent in an offense like Chicago's. If pitchers pound the zone though, McKay has excellent doubles power (he's sixth this year), and will hit in the low-20's in home runs over a full season. He should have a good game against an underwhelming staff like the Angels' staff.
TRIVIA: Which two players are first all time in Angels history in WSB (Weighted Stolen Base?)?
