The Angels Fall to the Astros

The Angels throw the game in the last inning with Street leading the way. Yeah so that pretty much sums up the game! The Angels didn't do the best this game but they held the hot Astros until the 9th inning. It was pretty fun to watch because my team was winning, right? Well first off the Angels pitching was fantastic! To hold off a team that is doing as well as the Astros is down right amazing. However, it all came to an end in the 9th inning. It was Houston Street coming up to pitch and boom the first batter up gets on base, then the second batter is on, then all of a sudden the Astros score three runs and the Angels are down 3-2. I mean it was pretty defeating, emotionally, to see that happen.

Houston Street Blows the Save! Thanks LA Times for the Image

What lead up to this loss? First off, even though the Angels were leading the game the whole way, they didn't produce nearly enough runs and their offense was pretty dormant. Yes, two runs seemed to be enough this game but usually this wouldn't be enough. When you are facing a team that has been doing as well as the Astros, it is mandatory that you produce many runs to keep your team out in front. The Angels scored two runs and then seemed to shut down. This ended up in the long run hurting the Angels and they lost to the Astros.

The Astros also played really well this game. It was never lopsided, there was never a point in the game where you just turned off the TV and walked away. No, actually the game was the complete opposite. I was almost analyzing the TV it seemed like. Like the Angels, the Astros put up a good fight and also had fantastic pitching. The Astros offense was nonexistent until the very end. I have no clue what it was but all of a sudden the Astros seemed to ignite and they put up some nice hits.

Astros Offense Sparks in the 9th! Courtesy of Galv News for the Pic

The Angels and Astros are well matched and so far have had great games to watch. I look forward to the many more games that these two teams will play and hope that they remain close.

The All New Astros

While everyone thinks that the Astros suck, the Astros are actually proving that they aren't that bad after all. Lately, everything has been picking up for them and every component of their game is very strong. They just snapped a 10 game winning streak. Can you believe that? The Astros actually won more than one game in a row! I know I give them a lot of crap but I have to give it to them, they are on fire.

First off, we have their offense. They are leading the American League in home runs. Everyone in the Astros lineup is capable of causing harm while up to bat. From the leadoff hitter to the number 12 hitter, each and every player can hit a home run and they have proved it. Not only that, with Jose Altuve leading the way, they are also getting tons of multiple base hits. It's insane how well the offense is doing. However, on the flip side of this, at any time the Astros can go dry from home runs and start losing again. Yes, they are destroying the ball right now, but that can change in less than a game!

Jose Altuve is Red Hot Right Now! Courtesy of CBS Sports for this Image

Next there is the pitching of the Astros. I'm not even talking about the overall defense I'm just going to talk about pitching right now. Their rotation is pretty strong with Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh. With this dynamic duo, they haven't lost a single game. The Astros defense hasn't had to do much yet because of the great pitching. The ERA of these two all star pitchers is insanely low. If you look outside of the pitching, their defense is also very strong right now. Of course Jose Altuve is leading them but they also have Springer, Carter, and Rasmus who all show off their gloves in the field. 

Keuchel Looks to Keep his Streak Going! Thanks MLB for this Pic!

I know that I predicted the Astros would suck again this year but I think that I have already been proved wrong. Even though it is way early in the season, you can tell the Astros have made some changes and it's really working. Don't mistake me for a bandwagon fan because I still don't like the Astros, but I can't deny a good team when I see one and the Astros are definitely a good team right now!

San Francisco Giants Pride

Thank you Joey for asking about the Giants. I honestly was having trouble thinking about which team I should analyze. For me, this is pretty easy. The Giants as everyone knows, have had some great past history. The giants have won plenty of World Series including the most recent 2014 World Series vs the Royals. I'm not going to talk about that because I am still pissed that the Royals lost. Not only should the Royals have won, but they were such a great underdog team.

Giants win the 2014 World Series. Image courtesy of SF Fun Cheap

Anyways, there is a lot I could say about the Giants, one of which is that they are doing terrible right now in Spring Training. Right now their record is 6-19 placing last in the National League. I don't know what I have to say about this. It is shocking to see a team go from the top dog to a terrible team in such a quick amount of time. I do hesitate calling them a terrible team because don't get me wrong, they have had tremendous success. So what has happened between the 2014 World Series Championship and now? Well that is debatable.

The Giants have been active in trading ever since they became champions. One of the trades that they made was Pablo Sandoval. Now many people believe that Sandoval was the face of the Giants. The panda as many people liked to call him. Sadly, he has moved on to the Red Sox. Of all the teams in the world, the Red Sox. They didn't even need him! Anyways as you can see, this has made a major impact of the Giants causing their record to be disgusting. Of course their are other factors that come to play but man this was a big decision.

The Panda in a Sox Uniform. Thanks Chowder and Champions for this Pic

I honestly have no idea what the coachers and managers were thinking to sell the iconic panda. He came in clutch a lot of times. He didn't deserve to go. Honestly and sadly enough, I think that the Giants will do terrible this year and spring training has just proved my point. Who knows maybe they will get their crap together, but for now, so long Giants see you in 2016!

Not Looking good for the Giants! Courtesy of Sfgate for this nice pic!

9 in 5 and Traded for a Washing Machine

As everybody knows by now, Will Ferrel decided to take a trip and make a debut in the Cactus League to raise money for cancer. He managed to play 9 positions in only 5 games. This is crazy! Will isn't the best player out there but who knows, maybe he is the next hall of famer. Will played with the following teams: Mariners, Angels, Reds, Cubs, White Sox, Dodgers, Padres, and the Giants. This was funny and at the same time was for a good cause. Not only did Will Ferrell play with all these teams, he didn't do too bad. I mean for not ever really playing baseball, he didn't do too shabby. I loved watching him play, I was laughing so hard watching it.

Atta Boy Will! Thank you Washing Post for this!

In my opinion, Will needs to be a center fielder or a pitcher. Have you guys seen his arm? While he was on the Angels, he replaced Mike Trout and even got a ball hit to him. Cleanly picked it up and kept it to a single. After this day, I don't even know the numbers that Will Ferrell will be going for. Also, pitching. It was outstanding! He is a ground ball pitcher for sure. First hitter he had a come backer and threw the guy out. Now of course Will Ferrell playing baseball was way more fun than competitive. In my opinion spring training should be like this. I know that the MLB players are trying to get ready for the season but come on, this was hilarious. He lightened up the mood. Sometimes people are too caught up in it all, not remembering sports are for fun. I personally would love to see other celebrities try and play baseball in live spring training games. Of course during regular season games this wouldn't work, but this was a great decision to let Will play.

Thanks to the Chicago Tribune for this Legendary Photo!

What a day it was in baseball history. I don't even know what is going to happen next. Not only did Will Ferrel play in the Cactus League, but he was traded for a washing machine. What kind of insanity is this?! This is definitely going to bring baseball to a whole new level. Trading for appliances may become a thing! How cool would that be? Instead of a 20 million dollar contract you get free plumbing and a fridge.  Haha that would be cool but some of the contracts now days, I don't even know if you could pay for with appliances. Baseball has been changed forever today, for the better. This is why baseball is such a cool sport, it is fun, competitive, and it is always interesting. To all those people who think that baseball is boring, when is the last time a random celebrity played in an NFL game? The MLB is such a great association and continues making baseball the best sport out there.

Happy New Years, Braves?

Happy New Years guys! Hope everyone had a wonderful time! I sure didn't. One of my resolutions is to start posting more often for you people out there that aren't actually there. Today, I am starting up the prediction series. I have already reviewed the Diamondbacks and today we get to look at the Atlanta Braves.

First off, the Atlanta Braves finished 3rd in their division going under .500. However, they did start off strong and did well for the first part of the season. This season the Braves traded Jayson Heyward who was arguably their best player. He had lots of power when on offense and an outstanding outfielder. Did this one decision ruin their team?

I think it did not, but it will be tough for them to go anywhere in their division. However, the Braves have made positive trades this year. They have acquired Alberto Callapso for one year. With Alberto I think this year they can use him to their advantage and do well. Also, the Braves have good pitching and if they can continue to have good defense and pitching they have a chance.

Thanks to Calltothepen for the Image

I think in the 2015 season, the Braves will either win their division or come in second. I think they will make it close and be a competitive team. Will they win the World Series? I don't think so, but you never know. The Braves continue to surprise and they may do well in the post season.

But for me, I think that they will make the playoffs but lose in the first round. Sorry Braves fans, 2015 is not the year!

Arizona Diamondbacks, what's up?

I am very sorry I haven't posted anything in a while but I have been very busy. Are you guys doing anything for the Holidays? I am not going anywhere, just going through a bunch of family bull crap that is very boring, like every year. Today I am starting my first day of my team assessment I talked about in my last post.

The Arizona Diamondbacks. They are a team that not many of us believe have much potential because they are not known for having much success. Last season, they did horrible. I am thinking that this season won't be much better for them.

Thanks to Sports Logos for this Pic

I am sorry to the Arizonians but they still haven't made that big move that they need. They are still rebuilding a team that can compete for the World Series. I know it's still early to make judgments, but I just don't see it happening. It's not that they failed last season, it's that I feel like they are a team that needs new fresh players that they haven't seemed to find yet. They need to find an offense mix that can lead their team and at this point they don't have it.

For the 2015 season I feel like the Diamondbacks will not win their division because they aren't going to be a competing team. In 2014, their record was 64-98 making them last in their division. I think that this is because they had a lack of defense. And in defense I mean pitching. And when I say pitching I mean that they really didn't have a lot going for them. They didn't have many big pitchers that could lead games. Don't get me wrong, they are a good ball club, but they didn't have defense that could lead them games. To summarize this all, the Diamondbacks will once again lose their division and maybe have a good 2016 season depending on who they pick up.