Angels fans have a special place in baseball lore.
They’re blessed enough to get to see generational talents like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on a daily basis, but cursed to watch them miss the playoffs again and again.
Angels fans are Henry Bemis in The Twilight Zone having time enough at last to enjoy all the books they ever want in solitude only to break their reading glasses.
It’s not fair. Monday night was just the latest example.
Ohtani pitched six innings with two earned runs on eight strikeouts—even debuting a new two-seam fastball!— against the Mariners only to watch it all unravel in the 9th inning on a head-scratching defensive error.
Angels fans couldn’t believe it.
Wait for the Angels fans' reaction pic.twitter.com/zS9sd0d41O
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) August 16, 2022
I’d call this child-like defense, but having watched the Little League World Series this month, that wouldn’t be fair or accurate. There’s no reason to throw to third when catcher Max Stassi can just run and tag him. Loup doesn’t run to cover home plate, which makes the rundown look even sillier. And allowing the hitter to reach third is just insult to injury.
Fans, rightfully, couldn’t believe it.
— Timothy Burke (@bubbaprog) August 16, 2022
The Angels would continue to implode in the 9th en route to a 6-2 loss as the Mariners pulled off the improbable win.
It was a tremendous turn of events for the betting public, however. According to Action Network, 65 percent of all bets placed on the game backed Seattle (+130) and 87 percent of all money wagered on the moneyline had the Mariners winning.
Meanwhile, the Angels are now 14 games under .500 and 11 games back of the Wild Card. The Mariners now how a half-game lead on the first Wild Card and look more like a playoff team each day.
Seattle is now +1200 to win the American League at Tipico Sportsbook. Fourth-best behind the Astros (+155), Yankees (+175) and Blue Jays (+750).
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