May 6, 2012

The drought is over!! After 110 at-bats Albert Pujols finally hit his first home run of the 2012 season, in an Angels win over the Blue Jays.  It's also no coincidence that as Pujols has struggled, so have the Angels.  They currently rank 16th in team average and also 16th in team home runs, far below the expectations that the team had.  While the hitting hasn't been pulling its weight up to expectations, the pitching, and more specifically, the bullpen, has been even worse.  The bullpen has only converted 4 out of 10 save chances this year, a ratio that has to improve if the Halos hope to possibly challenge the juggernaut Rangers in the AL West.  It's only a matter of time until the lineup wakes up and begins mashing the opposition, but they'll only go as far as their pitching can take them, Jered Weaver can't pitch everyday.

Stat Line of the Day

Orioles pitching line vs the Red Sox

This is the first stat line that's not just one player, as I've actually included the entire Baltimore Orioles bullpen from their insane effort against the Red Sox.  The game went 17 innings and Adam Jones hit a 3-run homer in the top to give them the edge.  Though Tommy Hunter struggled, as he's prone to do, the bullpen dazzled the potent Red Sox lineup in 12.2 innings, giving up only a SINGLE earned run.  As you'll also notice, the strikeout numbers are crazy as well.  If this bullpen can maintain this level of pitching, the Orioles may contend in the AL East much longer than people figure they will.  Kudos to the O's pitching staff in a marvelous effort.  Oh, and the winning pitcher was Chris Davis, their first baseman.