Zach Neto Fires Up Anaheim

Zach Neto to the Angels Rescue

(Photo by Instagram)

By David A. Avila

ANAHEIM, Ca.-Fans of the Los Angeles Angels are experiencing a rare moment. The team is still in playoff contention.

A year ago, the Orange County-based team had suffered a 12-game losing streak and fired manager Joe Maddon as a response. The Angels continued to lose and quickly fell out of the running despite changing skippers.

Today, the Angels have 40 wins after taking three of four from the Western Division leading Texas Rangers to tie the New York Yankees and Houston Astros for the third Wild Card team if the season ended today. It’s a rare position for the team in June.

One major difference has been catalyst Zach Neto the rookie shortstop.

Though currently on the 10-day injury list, Neto has provided two elements missing on the team for over a decade. He’s the glue and straw that stirs the drink for a team possessing two of the best hitters in baseball with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani.

Just before Neto was felled by a oblique injury the feisty player smacked two homers against last year’s Wild Card team Seattle Mariners. He also provided defensive play that all good teams need to proceed to the next level.

After hitting the two homers he was asked if hitting two homers was important to his year.

“Anybody can hit one homer, but two,” said Neto.

Anybody can provide hitting and anybody can provide great defense but few are able to do both in the Major Leagues. Neto can do both. It’s a luxury the Angels seldom experienced.

Neto has become the sparkplug for the Angels with his exuberance and constant optimistic smile. He can’t seem to frown regardless of the situation. It’s an infectious attitude and the Angels now have it.

Hopefully the 22-year-old shortstop can recover soon.

Dodger woes

Pitching has always been the mainstay for the Los Angeles Dodgers but this year for whatever reason the bullpen ranks at the bottom in the National League.

What happened?

As Dodger executive Andrew Friedman mentioned relief pitching can be a very volatile department in pitching. One year its great the next year its bad, really bad.

Seldom are any relief pitchers able to find success year after year. That’s why Kenley Jansen was such a valuable asset for the Dodgers. Continued success as a reliever leads to big contracts.

Throwing near 100-mile an hour heat has its impact on relievers. It’s not unusual to see bullpen hurlers go down.  

Every other year the Dodgers seem to stumble with its relief crops. This year has been the worst since 2019.

The Dodgers play the Angels this week.

A Star to Remember

One player scorching the ball at bat has been Luis Arraez of the Miami Marlins. So far this year his batting average has hovered near .400 and .920 OPS while providing a constant presence on the base paths.

Arraez is a main reason the Marlins are competing in the NL East.  

Its not an aberration that the Venezuelan born infielder is hitting like Ty Cobb. His career batting average is .325. This is his first year with Miami after spending three years with the Minnesota Twins. He was traded during the off season for three players in pitcher Pablo Lopez, shortstop Jose Salas and outfielder Byron Chourio.

So far the 26-year-old Arraez has provided the spark needed for Miami’s offense. Iy already possess a strong pitching staff. The hitting attack needed someone like the left-handed batting Arraez to get on base. He recently went 5 for 5.

Arraez can flat out hit.

It will be shocking if he is not chosen on the All Star team in a few weeks.