The Los Angeles Angels have relied upon Patrick Sandoval in recent seasons, mainly last year, when the left-hander posted career-best marks.
His 2.91 ERA in 2022 across 148.2 innings pitched (27 starts) was a steadying force in the Angels rotation, but his inability to replicate that has been his ultimate roadblock. Sandoval has struggled to strike out opposing hitters, registering just 7.84 batters per nine.
A huge piece to his regression in the ERA department has been with runners in scoring position. Last season, Sandoval allowed a meager .591 on-base plus slugging in those spots, but this year, he’s giving up a .795 OPS.
His 4.48 ERA across 26 starts is among the worst in the Angels starting rotation, but Sandoval expressed serious concern over his hiccups in high leverage spots where run prevention is a priority, per Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com:
“I’ve got to get better at picking up the guys when things don’t go right,” Sandoval said. “To be the starter I want to be in this league, I need to definitely improve in that area. It’s just a constant letdown to myself. Whenever something goes wrong, I just can’t seem to pitch my way out of it.”
The Angels were in the upper slab of baseball’s best rotations in the early parts of the year, but because of issues like Sandoval has shown, that designation is a distant memory. Manager Phil Nevin also mentioned his lefty’s backfires, while also keying in on some subtle positives:
“I’ve said it all along, the next pitch is too important,” Nevin said. “You’ve got to reel yourself back in, stay focused, make good pitches. He got hurt after those errors. He’s getting better at it. His body language is better. He’s attacking better after. And it’s understandable after things don’t go your way, but you have to make better pitches.”
At various points of the year, Sandoval has taken blame for his ‘scattered’ outings, but his 1-5 record, 7.00 ERA and 4.45 FIP in his last six starts have put the Angels in numerous holes. In that span, he’s allowed at least four runs in four of six trips to the mound.
He’s unfortunately continued to trend downward, but the Angels have shown they believe in what Sandoval is capable of when given the proper run of opportunity.
Patrick Sandoval doesn’t find it versus Seattle Mariners
In his most recent start, Sandoval allowed five earned runs on 10 hits over five innings pitched. The 26-year-old was on the mound when eight runs crossed, but some spotty defense was to blame for the uneared scoring.
The Mariners hammered his fastball, a pitch that he’s been unable to use as a main piece this season.
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