The Los Angeles Angels have not been able to sustain their excellent performance to begin the season. After losing to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday, the Angels currently stand at 11-12 and have some serious problems to tend to.
Entering Wednesday’s contest, Los Angeles owned the third-worst bullpen in MLB with a dreadful 5.45 ERA. LA’s other statistics, such as its 1.62 WHIP and league-worst .283 batting average allowed, all tell the same story:
The team needs serious bullpen reinforcements. Los Angeles will need to improve upon this glaring hole, and may be able to do so with a former World Series champion.
Ahead of Wednesday’s game, the Angels announced they had selected the contract of former Chicago Cubs relief pitcher Carl Edwards Jr. Speaking with reporters (via The Sporting Tribune’s Brandon Deutsch), Edwards spoke on his veteran experience after winning a World Series with Chicago in 2016. “Something called championship DNA,” he said. “Helps with all these guys being there. We got goals and expectations.”
Edwards helped the Cubs to break their 108-year championship curse in 2016. The eleven-year veteran has thrown 280 innings in the Major Leagues. During this time, he has accumulated a 3.54 ERA, a 1.211 WHIP, and a 120 ERA+. His best season came in 2017 with the Cubs, where he posted 1.6 bWAR, a 2.98 ERA, and 94 strikeouts in 73 appearances.
The South Carolina native has spent the last five seasons bouncing around five different teams, including the Seattle Mariners, Atlanta Braves, Toronto Blue Jays, Washington Nationals, and San Diego Padres. Edwards looks to add veteran leadership to a struggling Los Angeles bullpen.
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