The start of another week for the Los Angeles Angels and another week where Shohei Ohtani makes history again. Chase Silseth continues to look like the real deal as a back-of-the-rotation starter. Things ramp up as the middle of August sets upon the baseball season. As the Angels try to keep their slim hopes of an October playoff birth alive.
Halo Highlights: Ohtani Makes History Again
Ohtani Makes History Again
The greatness that is Shohei Ohtani is something that feels like it just gets more and more crazy. Upon earning his tenth win as a pitcher last week against the San Francisco Giants, he became the only player in MLB history with 10 wins as a pitcher and 40 home runs as a hitter. It feels mundane at this point with Ohtani. Ohtani makes history again, he always seems to be doing something that hasn’t been done before. This is on top of throwing a complete game shutout in game one of a doubleheader. Then hitting two home runs in the second game of the doubleheader.
With how long baseball has been around, the thought of something needing to be done seems almost impossible. Another famous two-way player, Babe Ruth, was as great as he was on the offensive side of the ball. Ruth’s highest home run total while pitching regularly was only eleven. Ohtani is truly something magical. He even has an outside chance at winning the triple crown in pitching and hitting. He is completely and utterly unbelievable.
most HR hit in a season, threw at least 1 shutout:
2023 Shohei Ohtani: 41
1918 Babe Ruth: 11
1931 Wes Ferrell: 9— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 13, 2023
In other Ohtani-related news, the Angels announced Ohtani would have his next start skipped in the rotation due to some arm fatigue. He has thrown 133 2/3 innings this season, and his career high to this point is 166 innings. All of this is on top of hitting in almost every game, too. It makes sense that he would be tired at this point of the season. This goes along with the cramping issues that have plagued the two-way superstar over the last few weeks.
The Sensational Silseth
Chase Silseth was drafted in the 11th round of the 2021 MLB draft and was the first member of that draft class to debut last year. This year, Silseth didn’t have a spot on the Major League roster. The Angels used him out of the bullpen for a brief stint, but that never seemed to stick for the young right-hander. After a temporary stint in AAA Salt Lake, he has turned a corner and become a dependable pitcher for the Angels.
In his first start back against the New York Yankees, he threw five and one-third innings, allowing one run while striking out 10. He followed that start by holding the best offense in the Atlanta Braves to a single run on three hits. Silseth’s ERA in his last four starts is 1.59. The Angels continue to have inconsistency on the mound, which has plagued the team for a few seasons. They will need contributions from some diamonds in the rough if this team wants to remain in the playoff hunt.
Silseth having his coming out party as of late gives the flexibility to provide its other pitchers an extra day for two to rest. As the season continues onward, it’s beneficial to have that luxury. The most significant factor is how he has mixed up his pitches and has not been overthrowing his slider. In his starts against the Braves and Yankees, he used his slider and cutter more. Then against the Seattle Mariners, he changed it up again. This works as it keeps the opponent on their toes, wondering what direction he will go. In his latest start on Sunday vs. the Houston Astros, he held them scoreless over five innings pitched while striking out five.
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The Final Word
Looking ahead at what the Angels have in store, it is another tough hand full of games. Three games against the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, followed by three at home against the Tampa Bay Rays. The schedule doesn’t ease up for the Angels this week. Hopefully, the team can get things going. If they can, it could start a run that the team desperately needs in order to get back into the playoff hunt. Regardless of who the Angels are playing, they must play consistent baseball as the guys above continue to help push the team back into contention.
Main photo credits:
Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
Players mentioned:
