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| Yep, their first ballpark in L.A. was indeed called 'Wrigley Field' |
Wednesday, May 23, 2018 | 7:07 pm
Rogers Centre | Toronto, Ontario
Tyler Skaggs (3-3, 2.88) vs. Aaron Sanchez (2-4, 4.47)
PREAMBLE:
Hooray, the Jays snapped an ugly losing streak last night by piling up five runs in the first inning and then fending off the Angels the rest of the way to hold on for a 5-3 victory. J.A. Happ turned in a sorely-needed excellent outing to record the victory and then Ryan Tepera and Tyler Clippard closed the door.
Aaron Sanchez is 0-1, 3.24 in two career starts against the Angels. His counterpart, Tyler Skaggs, is 2-2, 3.86 in four career starts against the Blue Jays.
Can the Blue Jays avoid getting bludgeoned right into the ground by a Trout-led squad hell-bent on securing revenge for last night's loss? Stay tuned!
GAME NOTES:
It's rare that there's no roster moves to announce for today that I just has to mention it on here! I read somewhere that there had been only four days in all of May that a roster move didn't take place before today.
The latest roster move was Devon Travis coming up yesterday to take over for Richard Urena, who had been sent down after Sunday's game.
BEN BADLER DROOLING:
Some Blue Jays-related snippets from an online chat with Ben Badler - link here: Top MLB Prospects Hot Sheets
Chris
(St. Catharines, ON): With
Cavan Biggio's swing changes and the production that's come from them early
this season, how much has his ceiling gone up in your opinion? Is it still more
of a second division regular profile or is there a chance for more than that?
Ben Badler: I've
seen him a bunch this year. I thought he was a borderline org guy coming into
the year. He's totally changed my mind. The power is real, he has a patient
approach and puts together a lot of quality at-bats. There are some swing holes
where you can beat him and it's more of an offensive-minded profile, but the
patience/power combo play well enough to give him a chance as an everyday 2B.
Steve
(London): What
do you see as Vlad Jr’s offensive ceiling?
Ben Badler: An
MVP. He could win a batting title, lead the league in OBP or slugging. When we
dropped an 80 future hit tool on him last year, I know that surprised some
people, but I think everyone's seeing it now. He is such a complete hitter,
it's amazing to watch from a 19-year-old.
Kevin (Toronto): Thanks for posting the
video of Vlad doing his defensive work the other day. Cool to see stuff we dont
normally get to watch. Do you think he can stay at third base?
Ben Badler: Thank you, I appreciate it.
That video got a great response. I had people in the game message me to say how
it meant a lot to them for me to share an example of the work that coaches and
players put in that doesn’t typically get recognized, so it’s cool to see how
many fans responded so well to it. I'm hoping that’s something I can find more
ways to do going forward. I do think Vladdy has a chance to stick at third
early in his career. He has the arm, his hand-eye coordination and body
control/awareness are assets over there, he’s just such a big guy that it
limits his first-step quickness and range. Eventually I think he outgrows the
position, but if he keeps working at it, I do think he can start his major
league career as a third baseman.
Luis Medina (Thinly veiled
self advertisement): Which short season pitcher
are you most excited to see?
Ben Badler: Eric Pardinho
Vlad Guerrero Jr. (New
Hampshire): When am I called up? June
after the Super Two deadline or more likely in September when rosters expand.
Ben Badler: I don't know. The Blue Jays
really don't know yet either. I think they overestimated their playoff chances
this year, missed on an opportunity to reset the organization in the offseason
and didn't expect Vlad to be hitting demolishing Double-A like he is right now,
so they're still figuring out what the best plan is for the organization and
for Vlad's long-term development.
HISTORICAL NOTES:
During spring training prior to the Angels' expansion season, a stunning announcement was made in April of 1961:
Yup, a newspaper article announcing that Mickey Mantle had been traded to the expansion Angels for $1 million in cash, half-interest in radio station KPMC and a player package of Ned Carver, Del Rice, Aubrey Gatewood and Gene Leek.
Oh... it was April's Fool Day.
But, man, could you imagine if that happened today? Twitter would be in full-blown meltdown mode.
LINEUPS:
Angels
2B Kinsler
CF The Almighty Trout
LF Upton
1B Pujols
DH Ohtani
SS Simmons
3B Cozart
C Maldonado
RF Calhoun
Blue Jays
RF Hernandez
3B Donaldson
1B Smoak
DH Solarte
CF Pillar
C Martin
SS Urshela
LF Granderson
2B Travis
This is your "Trout and Ohtani Show" game threat. Kick back and enjoy it while you can.
