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Carlos Estevez Looks to Help Angels Chase Series Win vs. A’s
Carlos Estevez, once an All-Star alongside Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout for the Los Angeles Angels, is aiming to contribute significantly as the team chases a series win against the Oakland Athletics in Anaheim, Calif. With the 2024 All-Star Game just three weeks away, Estevez’s chances of returning to the Mid-Season Classic seem slim, but his recent performances suggest a resurgence in form.
Estevez’s Return to Form
Estevez is back on track after a rocky start to the season. He had five saves, two missed saves, a loss, and a 6.23 ERA by the 30th of April. He sought guidance from bullpen coach Steve Karsay and pitching coach Barry Enright during this time. Karsay noticed a problem with Estevez’s delivery: he was releasing the ball with his wrist at the wrong angle, which caused his fastballs to run back over the middle of the plate.
“I was dropping my hand on the fastballs, that’s why (pitches) were running back over the middle.”
Carlos Estevez
Since adjusting his delivery, Estevez has been dominant. In May and June, he has recorded nine saves in 10 opportunities, with a 1.76 ERA and 15 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings. He has also retired 24 consecutive batters, including eight perfect innings, approaching the Angels’ club record for consecutive batters retired by a reliever.
“He’s been attacking the zone,” Angels manager Ron Washington said. “He’s been using his pitches in different areas of the zone, so you can’t zero in on one part. In other words, he’s been changing a lot of eye levels.”
Tyler Anderson Takes the Mound
For Tuesday’s game, left-hander Tyler Anderson (6-7, 2.48 ERA) will make his 16th start of the season for the Angels. Anderson has a strong track record against Oakland, with a 3-0 record and a 1.61 ERA in five career starts against the A’s. He has been consistent recently, allowing only one run in each of his past six of seven starts.
Mitch Spence’s Unexpected Journey
The A’s will counter with rookie right-hander Mitch Spence (4-3, 3.86 ERA), making his eighth start and 19th appearance. Spence, selected in the Rule V draft from the Yankees last November, has an unusual backstory. During the minor league season’s cancellation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Spence took a job at Target in North Carolina. Even after being drafted by the A’s, he continued working at Target until receiving a call from A’s manager Mark Kotsay.
“I was on my lunch break and it was almost over, iwas packing everything up and my phone rings, and I was like, ‘OK, that’s Mark Kotsay.’ It was a little bit of a panic moment, but it was great. He was just like, ‘Welcome to the team.’ It was kind of surreal.”
Mitch Spence
Spence will face the Angels for the first time, and he’ll need to pitch carefully to Taylor Ward, who hit a two-run homer in the series opener and made a leaping catch at the wall for the second straight game.
Angels and A’s Recent Performances
The Angels managed to snap a rough patch, having lost three of four games before Monday’s win. Ward’s homer and stellar defense were key highlights. Meanwhile, the A’s have dropped three consecutive games, continuing their struggles this season.
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Looking Ahead
As the angels try to expand on their force, Estevez’s superior exhibition will be pivotal. A team trying to stay competitive in a tough division may benefit from his ability to effectively win games. The Angels are well-positioned to defeat the Athletics once more thanks to Anderson’s consistency on the mound and Estevez’s return to form.
