The Los Angeles Angels will try to salvage the final game against the Giants, but the focus is on Soriano.
The Los Angeles Angels are solidly focused on the trade deadline as they continue to mostly go through the motions on the field, but they’ll send Jose Soriano to the mound in yet another showcase start with the trade deadline just over a week away.
The wins and losses don’t matter much for the Halos these days, but this is another important start for Soriano. The 27-year old right-hander is on the bubble as a trade candidate, as he looked like an ace for the first month of the season.
But Soriano has been the opposite of that since, with an ERA of 4.90 over 14 starts, and his 54 walks lead the American League. Soriano has elite stuff, but harnessing it consistently has been another matter entirely.
The starting pitching version of the “who stays and who goes” question is between Soriano and left-hander Reid Detmers. Both have been brilliant at times and inconsistent at others, and interim GM John Mozeliak hasn’t made his final decision. The two pitchers could be on the move if the Angels commit to a full-rebuild, but the more likely possibility is that one will stay.
The Giants will counter with Carson Whisenhunt and the 25-year old left-hander is coming off two good starts. He’s still finding his way in his second season, but he’s beaten the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves in his last two outings, with an ERA of 3.38 in those efforts.
San Francisco doesn’t have much to play for, iether, but the Angels’ arrival has helped them stop a five-game losing streak with back-to-back wins. The key to their recent success has been Rafeal Devers, who’s pounded Angels pitching in both games, and if the Angels are going to salvage the final game stopping Devers will be at the top of the priority list.
The Angels’ other trade pieces haven’t shown much lately. Both Zach Neto and Jo Adell have been quiet offensively, and so has Jorge Soler. This is a team that badly needs to be broken up and rejuvenated, and Angels fans are hoping that finally starts to happen soon.
If you’re looking for a bright spot to watch, keep an eye on Nolan Schanuel. He’s the closest thing the Angels have to a consistent hitter, and Schanuel has managed to raise his batting average to .282 in the last couple of weeks as he consistently makes contact and hits the ball to all fields.
