{"id":320662,"date":"2026-05-18T02:16:19","date_gmt":"2026-05-18T02:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/320662\/"},"modified":"2026-05-18T02:16:19","modified_gmt":"2026-05-18T02:16:19","slug":"alexander-for-dodgers-and-angels-its-a-tale-of-two-franchises-orange-county-register","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/320662\/","title":{"rendered":"Alexander: For Dodgers and Angels, it\u2019s a tale of two franchises \u2013 Orange County Register"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani drops his bat after hitting a single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani looks on from the dugout during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani, right, and Angels\u2019 Mike Trout, left, interact before a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani (17) slides into second base as Angels shortstop Zach Neto (9) throws to first base to complete a double play during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani follows through on a single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers<\/p>\n

Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman tosses the ball to first base during the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers<\/p>\n

Dodgers pitcher Chayce McDermott throws to a Angels batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Kyle Tucker gestures on second base after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers<\/p>\n

Dodgers pitcher Alex Vesia reacts during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Kyle Tucker drops his bat after hitting an RBI double during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Andy Pages hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Miguel Rojas celebrates in the dugout after a sacrifice fly during the second inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Hyeseong Kim follows through on a swing after hitting an RBI single during the second inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers<\/p>\n

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws to a Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Angels<\/p>\n

Angels pitcher Grayson Rodriguez throws to a Dodgers batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani, right, and Angels\u2019 Jos\u00e9 Soriano, left, interact before a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers\u2019<\/p>\n

Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani warms up before a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan holds up a sign for Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani before a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A fan holds up a sign for Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani before a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers<\/p>\n

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki reacts in the dugout during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

\"Dodgers<\/p>\n

Dodgers pitcher Roki Sasaki (11) throws to a Los Angeles Angels batter during the first inning of a baseball game, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

Show Caption<\/p>\n

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Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani drops his bat after hitting a single during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the Angels, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo\/Jessie Alcheh)\n<\/p>\n

Expand<\/a><\/p>\n

ANAHEIM \u2013 The one-liners just keep coming, I\u2019m afraid. And they\u2019re not all mine.<\/p>\n

Yes, I mentioned to a family member that maybe, instead of the ad for Foundation Building Materials that the Angels currently wear on their sleeves, they might wind up with one instead for Chico\u2019s Bail Bonds, as in that movie about baseball futility, The Bad News Bears.\u00a0(That\u2019s the original from 1976 I\u2019m thinking of, by the way, rather than the 2005 remake.)<\/p>\n

But then there was this email from Bill Bedsworth, which tumbled into the inbox late Saturday night:<\/p>\n

\u201cAngels lost 15-2 tonight<\/a>, but all the fans were talking about as they left was how good the nachos were. Thanks, Arte.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sometimes, a man utters words he won\u2019t be able to live down for a while, if ever. Angels owner Arte Moreno\u2019s comments in spring training,<\/a> suggesting surveys had shown fans were more confirmed with affordability and a safe environment than a winning team, are going to reverberate for a good while,<\/a> at least as long as the team\u2019s futility continues.<\/p>\n

Then again, what to make of this? The Angels\u2019 third straight thumping by the Dodgers, a 10-1 victory Sunday<\/a>, completing a sweep by a margin of 31-3, was also their third straight sellout of the weekend and ninth in 21 home games, for a team that is now 16-31.<\/p>\n

Even if you scoff at the way a \u201csellout\u201d is measured these days \u2013 and even if you note that the majority of those showing up at Angel Stadium this weekend were wearing Dodger blue \u2013 the crowd of 44,809 Sunday and the three-day total of 134,537 meant a good payday all around. Moreno\u2019s club profited, of course. So did the Dodgers, with the visitors\u2019 share of the gate.<\/p>\n

And so did all of the scalpers \u2013 er, independent ticket brokers \u2013 who charged premium prices on the secondary market. According to TickPick, one of those outlets, Friday night\u2019s get-in price for the first game of the Freeway Series was $59. The get-in price on the secondary market for Monday night\u2019s game against the West Sacramento A\u2019s, in contrast, was $4.<\/p>\n

If you were a Dodger fan this weekend, whatever the cost was would have been worth it (and the $25 to park at Angel Stadium is a bargain compared to the prices in The Ravine). Theirs is the good life: Back-to-back World Series championships and a 29-18 record and five-game winning streak going into a divisional showdown in San Diego beginning Monday.<\/p>\n

But if you are an Angel fan \u2013 and I know you are out there, steadfast in your loyalty to the team even as you might be discouraged, disappointed or disgusted by the state of the organization \u2013 how do you respond?<\/p>\n

Are you encouraged that the young players who are supposed to be the future of this team are getting any better? Do you have any confidence in the organization\u2019s player development staff and minor league system \u2013 or, in fact, the front office, period?<\/p>\n

Our Angels beat writer, Jeff Fletcher, explored the player development issues in a three-part series in November 2022. Part I discussed the team\u2019s struggles bringing talent into the system<\/a>, much of their own doing. Part II cited a lack of continuity and technology that put the system behind others.<\/a> And Part III described what was, at the time, a renewed emphasis on winning in the minors<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How many, if any, of those ideas have actually taken root?<\/p>\n

Yes, the old saying in baseball is that you\u2019re never really as bad as you look when you\u2019re slumping, just as you\u2019re never really as good as you look when you\u2019re streaking. But the Angels have dropped six straight and eight of nine, and this followed a skid in which they\u2019d lost 13 of 15, after briefly poking their heads above .500 at 11-10 on April 17.<\/p>\n

From a business standpoint, most of those sellouts before Dodgers weekend came on giveaway nights (and no, cynical soul, we\u2019re not discussing giving away ballgames). The Angels have 15 more over the remainder of the schedule, as well as 10 fireworks shows. So maybe we were all wrong, since the target audience seems to be those who like free stuff.<\/p>\n

Give manager Kurt Suzuki credit<\/a>, at least, for trying to be positive. That\u2019s not easy to do in these circumstances, especially while managing on a one-year contract. But here was the go-to quote during his postgame session with the media, when reminded that his team had scored two runs or less in six straight games:<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve played this game a long time and I\u2019ve gone through some ruts. You wish you had a simple answer but there really isn\u2019t a simple answer. You just got to continue to do your work, and there\u2019s going to be one thing that is going to click and everybody\u2019s going to start hitting and they\u2019re going to be like, \u2018Wow, this is the sixth game in a row you scored eight or more runs.\u2019 So hopefully that time comes soon.\u201d<\/p>\n

Also consider that Sunday\u2019s performance, in which the Angels had five hits and left only three on base, came against a pitcher who may be hitting his stride. Roki Sasaki went seven innings, his longest outing of the year, and gave up one extra base hit (a Mike Trout double in the first) and no walks while striking out eight.<\/p>\n

This was his best start as a Dodger<\/a>, obviously. Dalton Rushing, who caught him Sunday, said he thought much of it came from confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe needs to trust his stuff, understand how good his stuff is, and execution kind of comes with confidence, I think, personally,\u201d Rushing said. \u201cI thought he was very confident today. He went in the zone when he needed to, and he left the zone when he needed to. It was obviously fun to work with.\u201d<\/p>\n

In a stretch where not only Blake Snell<\/a> has joined Tyler Glasnow on the injured list<\/a> but also lefty reliever Jack Dreyer with shoulder inflammation, the Dodgers obtained left-hander Eric Lauer from Toronto for cash considerations, a transaction first reported by The Athletic Sunday afternoon. They\u2019ve already had 23 pitchers appear in at least one game this season, but only 48 games have been played.<\/p>\n

As majority owner Mark Walter once memorably said<\/a>, \u201cPitchers break.\u201d And that was before the stress on arms began to take its toll league-wide. Pitching depth is more important than ever before, especially if your goal is another World Series championship.<\/p>\n

For Angel fans, that sort of problem must seem far, far away.<\/p>\n

jalexander@scng.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Dodgers\u2019 Shohei Ohtani drops his bat after hitting a single during the ninth inning of a baseball game…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":320663,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[36],"tags":[163,165,164,43198,2866,53,1334,127],"class_list":["post-320662","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-anaheim","tag-anaheim","tag-anaheim-headlines","tag-anaheim-news","tag-jim-alexander","tag-los-angeles-angels","tag-los-angeles-dodgers","tag-mlb","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320662","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=320662"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320662\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/320663"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320662"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320662"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320662"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}