Locked On Angels - Daily Podcast On The Los Angeles Angels

The energy and excitement was palpable in the first sold out Tuesday at Angel Stadium since 2014 on a Mike Trout bobblehead giveaway. With Shohei Ohtani on the mound, Halo fans eagerly awaited another dazzling performance. Someone didn't tell the Red Sox... Mookie Betts drove an Ohtani fastball high over the left-center wall in the very first at-bat of the game, sparking his team to an easy 10-1 win over the Halos. Ohtani never got into a rhythm in this start, leaving after just 2 innings and 3 runs given up. His struggles could largely be attributed to an inability to get on top of his breaking pitches, with his splitter noticeably ineffective and well out of the zone time and time again. The right-hander also noticeably struggled with apparent blisters on his throwing hand, constantly blowing into his fingers between pitches and looking generally uncomfortable. Ohtani's struggles last night are the focus of today's episode, along with Wild West Wednesday, the weekly look into the rest of the AL West. Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Can he do it? Can Shohei Ohtani deliver yet again against one of the best offenses in baseball coming to Angel Stadium? The Boston Red Sox come into town for a 3-game set at the Big A, by far the Angels' biggest test of the season so far. After facing the A's, Rangers, and Royals to begin the year, the Halos will close out the season against perceived playoff contenders in the Red Sox, Giants, Astros, and Yankees. To get you ready for the Boston series, a preview starts today's episode. Tuesday means the show features the Down on the Farm Report, highlighting each minor league team in the Angels' system and how key players are performing. Jabari Blash is mashing in Salt Lake, while David Fletcher has also picked up where he left off. Griffin Canning continues to dazzle in Inland Empire, while Matt Thaiss has cooled off a bit in hist start in Mobile. All of that and more in today's episode! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Cold and frigid temperatures did little to slow down the Angels over the weekend, as the team continued its winning streak in sweeping the Kansas City Royals. With one of the best records in baseball through the first two weeks of the season, Halo fans have cause to be excited. Yet, we are always reminded that the season is young, and plenty can happen between now and the All-Star break, much less by September. With that, we examine the hottest starts of the past 10 years in the American League, and how each of those teams fared. The results are certainly encouraging for the Angels and their playoff aspirations. Monday also means the Studs and Duds of the weekend segment, highlighted by strong performances from Garrett Richards and high-end sluggers Mike Trout, Justin Upton, and Albert Pujols. To close out the show, a tribute to the legacy of Jackie Robinson following Major League Baseball's celebration on Sunday. Tune in! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After 633 days between Major League starts, Nick Tropeano toed the rubber and delivered a much needed performance for an ailing Angels' rotation. In such a hot start to the season, it has been difficult to find much fault in the Halos' squad, with the exception of the starting rotation. Mired by short outings and injuries, Nick Tropeano stepped up and delivered one of the more impressive performances of the season for the boys from Anaheim, tossing 6 2/3 shutout innings and picking up his first win since 2016. Tropeano held the Royals at bay just long enough for the league's best offense to jump on the Kansas City bullpen in the late innings and pull away with the series-opening victory. Justin Upton made a key slide to save a potential inning ending double play in the 7th, and that started the Angels' rally. Kole Calhoun delivered a 2-out 2-run single, before Shohei Ohtani crushed a 3-run triple to the right-center gap, put the finishing touches on the ballgame. Later in the show, its the Friday Mailbag, which was loaded this week with all of your questions from Twitter. Tune in and hear the answers! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Seemingly nothing can cool off the Angels' bats, as the club cruised to a 7-2 victory over the Rangers, completing a sweep as Jamie Barria earned his first Major Leage victory. During the sweep, the Halos pounded out 40 hits as a team, scoring 26 runs and pushing their season average at 6.6 runs per game. In the process, the team has also climbed to first place in the AL West.  Thursday on the show also means the Thursday Gear Grinder, and today's episode features our hatred as fans towards teams who become overly successful. To end the show, we also give you a preview of the upcoming 4 game series in Kansas City. Tune in! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Andrelton Simmons and Mike Trout both homered while Tyler Skaggs kept the Rangers' offense at bay long enough for the Angels to pull away in the middle innings, cruising to an 11-1 victory to clinch another series victory in 2018. The Halo offense has absolutely mashed in the first 12 games this season, amassing the most runs in Major League Baseball while also owning the highest team batting average in the American League. All of this is happening with the perceived slump of Mike Trout, Ian Kinsler playing in only one game due to injury, and the performances of sluggers Justin Upton and Albert Pujols ranging hot and cold. Depth has been a welcome addition, as Martin Maldonado continues his torrid pace at the plate, while Andrelton Simmons has also picked up where he left off from a career year in 2017. Wednesday also means another Wild West Wednesday segment, taking a look around the AL West, where the Angels find themselves tied with the Houston Astros in first place.  Lastly, the show concludes with Shohei Ohtani, and why it might be time to pump the brakes a bit on the Ohtani hype train.  Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Things continue to take a turn for the worst, as JC Ramirez becomes the latest rotation casualty for the Angels, done for the season with a torn UCL that will need Tommy John surgery. All hope is not lost, however, and there is still some depth left to withstand a tough start to the season health-wise. As Ramirez joins Matt Shoemaker on the disabled list, Andrew Heaney is reportedly close to his return, perhaps slated to start on the mound on Thursday in Kansas City. If Heaney can come back fully healthy and ready to go, the Angels have 7 capable arms for 6 slots in the rotation. Not phenomenal, but still promising moving forward if everyone stays healthy. Of course, health questions continue to plague seemingly every starting pitcher in the organization. Not all hope is lost, and Tuesday means the Down on the Farm report here on the show. Today, Brent Maguire of Prospects 1500 and Baseball Essential joins the show to provide updates on some notable prospects in the Halo system after the first weekend in Minor League Baseball. Griffin Canning looked solid in his first start, while Jo Adell and Brandon Marsh figure to light up the Low-A level with Burlington. All of that, and more, with Brent Maguire. Lastly, we recap Game 1 of the series in Arlington, a Halo victory, and give a quick preview ahead of Game 2. Tune in! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We are running out of words to describe what Shohei Ohtani is doing to start the 2018 season. In the Angels' first 10 games, Shohei Ohtani has homered 3 times in 3 consecutive games and picked up 2 wins on the mound in back-to-back starts. Facing the Oakland A's for the 2nd time this season, Ohtani made one of the top offenses in the American League look absolutely foolish at the plate, racking up 12 strikeouts against just 1 walk, while surrendering just 1 base hit. His fastball again touched 100 mph, while his splitter dove beneath bats like they were allergic to the pitch. Time and time again, Ohtani broke off that splitter for swinging strikes, compiling 24 swings and misses on the day, the most in baseball for any pitcher in a start this season. Where Ohtani goes from here, we do not know. But we can certainly confirm, Shohei Ohtani is unlike anyone on this planet. Later in the show, it's the Studs & Duds of the Weekend, highlighting the weekend in Halos baseball. Justin Upton racked up 2 home runs and plenty of RBI's, boosting the offense through 3 games. The starting rotation, outside of Shohei Ohtani, continues to disappoint, with JC Ramirez joining Matt Shoemaker and Andrew Heaney on the disabled list. Is it time to look elsewhere for rotation help. Lastly, we finish with a series preview, as the Angels get set to take on another AL West rival this week, the Texas Rangers. Tune in! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the first off-day of the season, we assess the first week of the season on the show. With Matt Shoemaker and Andrew Heaney on the disabled list, questions about the starting rotation loom most glaring. While the rotation is full of question marks, the bullpen has thrived in its place, logging heavy innings and keeping the Halos in games. The offense has been hot and cold, but has stepped up when needed. All in all, it's quite hard to complain about a 5-2 start to the season. Later in the show, the Friday Mailbag comes your way, with questions surrounding the starting rotation, as well as Zack Cozart in the leadoff spot. Lastly, with the weekend series against the Oakland A's, we preview the 3-game set at Angel Stadium. Tune in! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels, and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Once again, Shohei Ohtani provided a magical moment, with a game-tying 2-run homer in the 5th inning off Corey Kluber, setting the stage for late inning dramatics at Angel Stadium. Zack Cozart sent Halo fans into a frenzy, belting a hanging breaking ball from Zach McAllister into left field and everyone drove home safely. A big time series win for the Angels, breaking a 12 game losing streak to Cleveland in style. Everyone had a hand in this ballgame, from Tyler Skaggs grinding through 4.2 innings pitched against Kluber, the bullpen posting 8.1 shutout innings, and timely hits from key members in the lineup. Winning feels good. Later in the show, Pat shares what grinds his gears in this week's Gear Grinder, before diving into some more minor transactions by bargain bin shopper Billy Eppler. Tune in! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Sometimes, we take the present for granted and get too caught up in where a player stands in history. Shohei Ohtani has been no stranger to that criticism in these past few weeks, and he silenced his critics in another big way on Tuesday night. Ohtani unloaded on a hanging breaking ball from Josh Tomlin in the 1st inning, cranking a 3-run shot to right for his first, of what we hope to be many, Major League home run of his career. The 23-year old had his best day at the plate in the U.S., lacing 3 hits in total and 3 RBI's. It's time for us to appreciate and enjoy what Ohtani is doing and will continue to do all season long. Later in the show, we discuss the current climate of the AL West just one week into the season before providing our thoughts on the latest DL casualty, Matt Shoemaker. Can Parker Bridwell step up in his absence? Will Billy Eppler be forced to eventually make a move outside the organization to improve the starting pitching depth? All that and more on today's episode! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Excitement filled the stadium before first pitch, especially with Halo legend Jered Weaver throwing out the ceremonial ball. However, those feelings quickly turned into disappointment, as the Indians picked up consecutive win #12 against the Angels. Traded away for Vinnie Pestano a few years ago, Mike Clevinger has made it known that he gears up a bit for any start against his former organization, and it showed in a big way on Monday. Clevinger mixed pitches, commanded the inside corner, and received very defensive swings from the Angel lineup all evening long. That, coupled with some lackadaisical defense from the normally stout Halo defense, led to their demise in the opener at the Big A. Later in the show, a lot of rosters have been announced for the Angels' minor league affiliates that open up play this week. We take a look at where the top prospects are headed so that you can keep an eye on them along with us all season long in our Down on the Farm Report. Lastly, which Angels' logo over the years is your favorite? Be sure to vote in our Twitter poll @LockedOnAngels. As always, be sure to follow the show on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a less than stellar spring training on the mound, Shohei Ohtani reminded everyone of his obscene talents as the 23 year-old right hander tossed a gem in his Major League debut on the bump.  With two strikeouts and a popout recorded in the 1st inning, the Halo offense went on a brief rally in the top of the 2nd with Ohtani watching on. In the spring, Ohtani struggled on the mound in instances following lengthy delays, as his debut was no exception. During the 2nd, Matt Chapman blasted a 3-run home run to left-center, and it looked as if things were headed for the worst for Ohtani and the Angels. However, poised as can be, Ohtani crafted a stellar outing the rest of the way, retiring 14 of the last 15 hitters he faced, mixing in a healthy dose of 98+ mph fastballs, diving sliders, and a virtually unhittable splitter which touched 90 mph as it dove almost two feet down. This was the type of start that had all of Major League Baseball drooling about his potential, and the hype train is officially back on in today's episode. Later in the show, our Studs & Duds of the weekend, as well as a quick look ahead to the opening series at Angel Stadium against the Cleveland Indians. What a start to the 2018 season! Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels, and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

With Opening Day in the books, it's time to reflect on a heartbreaking extra-innings loss in Oakland before moving on to the rest of the weekend. While the Halos fell 6-5 in 11 innings, there are plenty of positive takeaways from game #1 that far outweighed any negatives. Garrett Richards dazzled in the early goings, mixing pitches well and showing off his devastation fastball/slider combination before succumbing to fatigue that lead to two Oakland home runs to get the hosts back in the game. Kole Calhoun and Zack Cozart each had phenomenal starts at the plate, continuing their hot finishes to spring training. By the way, Albert Pujols is back. The slimmer Pujols crushed a no doubt shot to left that gave the Angels the lead in the late innings, but the bullpen could not quite hold it. Before we bash on the pitching staff, let's not forget that the bullpen as a whole gave up just 2 runs in 6 innings. That's just baseball sometimes. Don't forget to follow the show on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

You made it. Opening Day is finally here, as the Angels open up the season against the Oakland Athletics. Garrett Richards toes the rubber, hoping to send the Halos to the perfect beginning to a highly hyped season. With today being Opening Day, we begin the show with a series preview for the 4-game set in Oakland, breaking down the key matchups, probable pitchers, and who could surprise and make the difference in each ballgame. Plus, our predictions on who wins each game. A shortened Thursday Gear Grinder then makes way for a closing fit for Opening Day, a day unlike any other. Opening Day brings out youthful joy in all of us. The promise of spring before the harsh realities of the dog days of summer. The childhood exuberance that made us all fall in love with the game. Opening Day is everything to us, and it is finally here! Don't forget to follow us on Twitter @LockedOnAngels and subscribe to the show on iTunes, Stitcher, Spotify, and Google Play. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices