In a game where the game can be won or lost by a matter of inches, Major League Baseball has a system in which a manager can request a replay review of a call that can potentially swing the game in another direction. Unfortunately, Los Angeles Angels manager Joe Maddon hasn’t had much success when making these calls.
The current replay system was implemented in 2014 and allows a team to challenge various plays and only retain their one challenge if their attempt at overturning a call was successful.
Maddon has been vocal in the past about the system’s deficiencies and hasn’t shied away from voicing when he’s believed some aspect of it needed modifications.
This season, Maddon and the Angels replay staff has not been effective, but he remains confident in their process, via Sam Blum of The Athletic:
The Angels’ replay statistics this season are alarming. Maddon has correctly overturned just four of his 15 challenges this season, after getting only six of 20 in 2021. Maddon acknowledged it was “horrible” but said he’s confident in the team’s challenge process. “There’s times you’ll challenge late just because it’s late, even though you’ll hear the word that it’s 50-50. Give it a shot. More often than not it’s going to come back negative.”
His 26.7% success rate on challenges this season pales in comparison to Colorado Rockies manager Buddy Black’s 71.4%, but Maddon is not the only manager who has not had much success with challenges.
Since 2014 the system has changed a considerable amount, but the ability to challenge a play is now a part of the game and a manager’s success rate on whether or not to burn their singular challenge should be questioned and noted.
Maddon confident in Angels bullpen despite bad stretch
The Angels are currently riding a six-game losing streak, and it was the bullpen that was credited with the loss in three of their four losses against the Toronto Blue Jays.
Maddon’s bullpen posted a 5.63 ERA after allowing 10 earned runs and a .288 batting average against in 16 innings versus Toronto. Outside of closer Raisel Iglesias, the Angels bullpen has been very middle of the pack and their depth has been strained as of late.
On the season, Angels relievers are 19th in MLB with a 4.02 ERA but have also allowed the 5th most home runs with 24. They’ve been able to limit their free passes and surrender just a .227 batting average to opposing hitters, and Maddon believes they’re just in a really bad stretch.
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