Named an All-Star with a perfect first half of the season, Carlos Estevez's new closer role for the Halos was off to a great start before the All-Star break.
Sadly, the Angels' high-leverage bullpen arm hasn't been as effective for the past two months, causing Anaheim's designated best reliever to admit his new role comes with new challenges.
“I’ve got to figure out a way to pitch in high leverage that many times. I got more tired than I usually do. In the offseason, you do maybe two a week high intensity and the other two are recovery,” Estévez said. “But closing games, you don’t get a recovery day.”
Largely struggling through his early career in Colorado, Estevez's Angels tenure began with a 1.80 ERA and converting 21/21 saves before the mid-summer classic.
More of his Rockies form unfortunately reared its ugly head since mid-July and the closer's stats now sit at 30 saves, but a much larger 3.56 ERA.
Attributing his poor second half to lack of rest isn't what you want to hear out of your closer considering how often you'd be used.
Blowing multiple save opportunities after his first All-Star nod, lack of experience in the closing role might make logical sense, but it won't take the sting out of another losing season at the Big A.
Doomed to another year without playoff baseball or a record above .500, the Angels remain one of the unluckiest or poorest run organizations in all of sports, with all things considered.
Boasting the talents of both Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani for the past six years, neither of the mercurial superstars could overcome the lack of depth surrounding them nor injuries to see the postseason.
Estevez's second half collapse wasn't the only one for the 2023 Angels, but more a microcosm for the team as a whole set for a possibly bleak future.
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