(Music Pun #8. When in doubt, go 80s.)
We're barely even a month into the season, and already we've got a battle for the ages brewing in the AL West. The Houston Astros, the guys who made it to the World Series last year and won it all, and are right back to where they left off...against the Los Angeles Angels, a team that's accumulated so much power and strength in the last 9 or so months that they've completely matched up to them.
It's a pretty close race, one that's become a ton closer after the Angels were swept by the Red Sox last week, but the Angels are in really good shape. Their two offensive standouts, Andrelton Simmons and Mike Trout, are still playing insanely well, holding up the team, while their other all-around standout, Shohei Ohtani, is being used very meticulously and strategically by Mike Scioscia. Honestly I don't blame him: Ohtani's best stuff comes when there's no pressure, and he's already off to an incredible start both on the mound AND at the plate.
There are pockets of success hiding in the lineup and rotation, although I feel as though a few people are waiting for their huge rush of success to happen, and it may be another few weeks. I think Ian Kinsler, Justin Upton and Zack Cozart are gonna be doing well once they warm up to things. Meanwhile, Garrett Richards is finally seeing the perks of being healthy, and Tyler Skaggs and Kenyan Middleton are doing some great things on the pitching staff.
This is a good looking team, but this is also a team that could get a bit too cocky if they keep making mistakes that led to that Boston sweep. So, I'm definitely expecting good things, but with the Astros also on the uptick, I'm slightly worried for them.
Coming Today: Elsewhere in California, a veteran 2nd baseman desperately searches for answers as his age-friendly team continues to plummet.
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