Angels News: Closer Carlos Estevez Trying to Get Bullpen and Himself in Lockdown Mindset
Carlos Estevez is ready to strap in and help will his team to a Wild Card spot and play some October baseball.
The 30-year-old bullpen arm is in his first full season as a team's full-time closer and he has shown out. Earning his first All-Star appearance in his seven-year career and doing it in his first year with the Halos is something this ballclub can be excited about.
In 2023, Estevez has pitched to the tune of a 3.42 ERA in 47.1 innings.
After a very rough stretch following this year's trade deadline, the Halos are finally looking to turn it around and really push for a Wild Card spot in the American League.
“We feel like we’re showing the position players,” closer Carlos Estevez said. “Hey, we got it. Don’t worry. We can (expletive) do it. That was the thought process today.”
(via Jeff Fletcher, The Orange County Register)
Starting pitching was not the only problem for the Anaheim club as Estevez himself blew two games during that stretch. That might not sound like a big thing but it is currently the only two games where Estevez has blown a save situation this year.
The Angels All-Star has looked to bounce back from those two mishaps and has already recorded two more saves since then, the latest one coming against the Houston Astros recording a one-two-three inning tossing only 12 pitches.
Sitting at 59-60, the Angels are currently 6.5 games back from the last Wild Card spot, but a lot of these rankings can change especially when taking into account the return of players like Mike Trout and Logan O'Hoppe into the lineup in the coming weeks.
With a team getting healthier and pitchers improving from this poor stretch, the Halos are ready to earn October baseball this year.