July 14, 2024; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels right fielder Joe Adell (No. 7) celebrates after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium . Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports The Los Angeles Angels will take on the Oakland Athletics on Thursday night in Anaheim, California. Both teams are out of the playoff picture, but players on both teams are trying to make their mark and prove they belong. Major League.
This has been the case for a while for Joe Adell, who will likely start in right field for the Angels on Thursday. Adel has had an up-and-down career, mostly in the doldrums, but has shown signs this season that he might be worthy of being a first-round draft pick in 2017.
Adell, who went 0-for-4 in Wednesday's 2-1 win over the Seattle Mariners, is batting just .194 and hasn't topped the .200 mark since June 4. Team (15) and Reserve Bank of India (46). His strikeout rate is too high — 33.4 percent for his career — but that's down to 29.5 percent this season.
What’s surprising is how well Adel hits the ball in the clutch. When runners are in scoring position, he's hitting .286 (20-for-70) on the season with an OPS of .839. Most recently, he's hitting .321 (9-for-28) with an OPS of .875 over his past nine games.
“That's good,” Adel said. “When I'm in a situation like this, I just slow down. That 'less is more' mentality really helps me get pitches and not miss them. Home runs aren't always the answer, and I think that's who I am The final summary is about 10 games.
Angels head coach Ron Washington said he's pleased with Adell's progress.
“Things are getting better every day,” Washington said. “He's getting opportunities in these situations and he's learning how to deal with them … and he's growing.”
Left-hander Kenny Rosenberg (0-0, 6.30 ERA) will make his first start (third appearance) of the season for the Angels. He went 5-4 with a 3.74 ERA in 14 starts in Triple-A Salt Lake City.
Rosenberg has made two career relief appearances against Oakland, allowing one run in nine innings.
Right-hander Ross Stripling (1-9, 5.82) will make his 12th start of the season for the A's. He is 1-3 with a 4.73 ERA in 10 career games against the Angels (six starts).
Despite losing 8-1 to the Houston Astros on Wednesday, the Athletics have won five of their past seven games. They are led by outfielder Lawrence Butler, currently the hottest hitter in the majors.
Butler, who went 1-for-3 with a double and a double on Wednesday, is batting .500 (16-for-32) with 10 extra-base hits in his past seven games. In July, he batted .413 (26-for-63) with eight home runs, 24 RBIs and a 1.408 OPS.
“I think this is probably one of the best stretches in baseball right now,” Oakland manager Mark Cortese said. “He's probably on his way to a type of July where he can be recognized… This kid has motivation right now. I think he's got the ability to play this type of baseball. Now, we're starting to see it every day.”
–Scene-level media