Chase Silseth was named Monday’s starter against the Atlanta Braves when it was revealed that Griffin Canning would be skipping his turn in the rotation due to general soreness. The Los Angeles Angels turned to Silseth, who delivered in spades.
Silseth tossed 63 pitches over five innings, recording one earned run on three hits with four strikeouts. He was credited with the victory — his third of the season — with the Angels taking care of business, 4-1. Silseth got the boost of three solo home runs by the bats and four shutdown innings by three Halo relievers.
And while Silseth’s start was a last minute decision in relief of Canning, he has certainly given the Angels something to think about moving forward.
Phil Nevin, for one, is already looking ahead to see if Silseth can squeeze his way into the rotation for a second start after his strong performance on Monday, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“Silseth was great,” Angels manager Phil Nevin said. “We told him yesterday he had a chance to start today, and he got the official word this morning. Maybe that helps. I don’t know. But we have some decisions to make.”
The Angels provided nothing on Canning’s status beyond the one missed start. If Canning is able to return for his next turn in the rotation, it becomes difficult to see a path for Silseth. Shohei Ohtani, Lucas Giolito, Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers, Tyler Anderson and Canning already make up a completed six-man rotation.
But Braves All-Star third baseman Austin Riley got a close look at Silseth’s stuff, and he has no doubts about the Angels starter’s place in Major League Baseball.
“He had a really good fastball that had some life to it and good movement,” Riley said. “He also threw a really good curveball. I thought I was all over the one that I hit to left [in the fourth] and it didn’t seem to get there. Yeah, he should be starting.”
Riley is one of baseball’s best players at the hot corner, and his vote of confidence in Silseth may carry weight. But of course, the Angels are going to stick with the starters that got them to this point should they all be healthy.
Silseth’s starter status is one to watch as the Angels look ahead to the coming weeks.
Giolito says Angels play with playoff atmosphere
The newest Angels starter Giolito is already seeing the benefits of being a part of the Angels rotation. After one start with the team, a loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last Friday, he praised the atmosphere of the Halos clubhouse.
He referred to every game as a playoff atmosphere, something he greatly appreciates and is all he’s wanted out of his teams. He feels he has it in Anaheim.
