OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Do you think that gives you a more realistic trade system, or do you do it for the challenge? I'm definitely looking for the former, and I'm definitely concerned that bumping it up will take it from slightly unrealistic to no trades unless they are completely unbalanced.

Probably a bit of both. I haven't really tested it out on a bunch of different settings and for a long enough period of time to tell you what you want to know. I do feel that finagling is too easy for my tastes on normal/hard.

[canes21]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

My trading is Very Hard/ Heavily Favor Prospects

The trades I made were

POS, Player, Age, Curr/Potential (20-80 scale)

SP Ian Anderson 20, 20/55
C William Contreras, 20, 20/20

for

SP Carlos Rodon, 25, 50/60

I don't think this deal was unrealistically difficult for me. In fact, I feel like that's a pretty realistic deal and I may have gotten Rodon at a bargain. He definitely came cheaper than I expected when I saw them shopping him around.

The other deal I made was

SP Max Fried, 24, 25/50
SP Wes Parsons, 25, 25/40
SP Kolby Allard, 20, 25/50
SP Brandon McCarthy, 34, 40/40
3B Ryan Schimpf, 30, 35/35

for

SP Garrett Richards, 29, 55/55
*The Angels also retained 40% of his contract and took all of McCarthy's contract from me.

Richards came at a price, but not one I'd call unrealistic either. I did have to give up Allard who I didn't want to give up, but in return that made them willing to take on all of McCarthy's contract and retain 40% of Richards' contract. That's $10,000,000 for McCarthy and $2,920,000 for a total of $12,920,000 while I only am paying $4,380,000 for Richards now. I saved $8,540,000 with this deal and got a much better pitcher that is young enough to become a key piece of this quick rebuild.

In both deals I didn't even give up a player projected to be even as good as the player I got in return. Yea, it sucked to give up Allard and Fried in the same deal, but Fried is already 25 and I don't see him reaching his potential honestly. I think he'll wind up as a 45 and a spot starter. Allard is one I am going to keep an eye on. He may become a good pitcher, I have more confidence in that than I do with Fried, but the scouting report is not high on him being more than a 4 in the rotation.

The last deal I made was a low-key one, but I'll post it also.

RF Alex Jackson, 22, 20/30

for

C Zack Collins, 23, 30/80

If Collins turns into even half of what he's projected to be that's the steal of the decade... unless my scouting report on Jackson was wrong and he turns out to be a stud. Collins already has a 75/80 eye, his contact is only 35/60, but his HR Power is 60/65. His arm is a 55 while his defense is slightly above average at 45. So right now he's just about good enough to be put up in the league for spot duty if I really wanted to. Some teams have been interested in Suzuki, so acquiring Collins makes those deals more interesting now.

That's 3 trades through June 14th, 2018. More than I planned for, but the Rodon trade was brought on from Newcomb tearing his Meniscus and the White Sox shopping him around the same day. That deal was made immediately. The Richards deal was literally one that had so many counter offers it took nearly a full month in-game to come the final deal. It was the only one I had planned to make. The Collins deal came about because I inquired about him and the White Sox only asked for Jackson in return and I couldn't accept that deal quick enough.

I will note that at the time of all 3 of these deals I used the 40/30/20/10 AI Evaluation weights. I've since altered it to a 35/35/20/10 weighting, but have not tried to even get into talks with anyone since that change. In my eyes all 3 deals don't seem unrealistic at all. Really, I feel like I won both deals with the White Sox and the Richards deal doesn't seem too bad to me either despite giving up 3 young arms just because Richards is sill young enough to be a solid piece for years to come and they improved my financials by $8+ million with taking on McCarthy's contract and retaining near half of Richards'.

I also want to note that my scouting accuracy is very low, but was at low at the time of all 3 deals.

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Those look like the kinds of trades I could do on Average.

Which makes me wonder three things:

1) What does this setting actually do (i.e. what makes it "harder")

2) Why favor prospects instead of neutral (which I presume is the AI assessing the team and deciding what the team needs/wants)

3) Does scout accuracy effect every team or just the player's team?

Edit: 4) Since I use the default AI evaluation settings (65/20/10/5), would that alter the experience of the various trading difficulties?

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Upton Traded, Abreu Acquired
Upton Moved for "Undisclosed Reasons"

In a season where the Angels are looking to contend and just coming off a key series win against the Astros to get within a 1/2 game of first place, the Angels announced a surprise move with the other L.A. team, the Dodgers.

Angels trade:
LF Justin Upton
RF Jared Walsh

Dodgers trade:
P Rich Hill
(Dodgers retain 25% of the contract)


"I think this caught everyone by surprise. Publicly, you are just getting the usual stuff, but I think something went down behind closed doors, " a local reporter commented.

"Whatever, " Justin Upton commented, "They act like I want to do this bad. Whatever, I mean, I guess I'm not drinking enough Kool-Aid or whatever."

A rift with manager Scoiscia has been thrown around by some. The Angels clubhouse has been one fun place according to most accounts from reporters. You can also see them having fun and being lose in the dugout most of the time.

Perhaps Upton ran into a culture clash. That might explain his poor performance and part of his comment on the situation.

Only official word from the Angels is that the Angels wanted some "financial flexibility in the forward years", which means that maybe the Angels are planning something.

Either way, Rich Hill, though 38, might be able to help the staff out. He will probably be better than Colon at the least.

Upton has struggled badly thus far, still languishing under the Mendoza line. There was speculation that this clears the way for Ohtani to play the field.

Instead, the Angels traded for Jose Abreu and will play him in left field to see how he takes to it.

Angels trade:
1B Kevin Maitan
LF Tim Arakawa

White Sox trade:
1B Jose Abreu
(White Sox retain 30% of contract)
P Bruce Rondon
SP John Parke
CF Luis Alexander Basabe (what a name)


The White Sox made this trade right after the prior one.

Abreu has been doing well this season as has Rondon, who figures to get a heavy workload in the bullpen if he can handle it as he becomes arguably the Angels' best reliever.

Abreu has posted a .287/.342/.491 batting line thus far. Rondon has a 2.93 ERA in 58 innings of work with a 12.2 K/9 rate.

Spoiler

These were made in Very Hard trading...still not sure what the difference is...I put it on Average and Very Hard to see the differences...the only change was how much money they would retain...and even then the White Sox would have paid like 85% of Abreu's salary if I didn't want the players...so I think I'll go back to Average

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Angels Make Postseason After September Rally
Angels Go 17-10 in September to Take Wild Card

August slapped the Angels in the face. It made the trades look bad, it made Ohtani look bad, it made Trout look horrid (he batted just .211)...

"We were starting to get down and it was snowballing. We could feel it slip away, " Pujols commented.

Indeed, it was all the Angels' weaknesses coming crashing down.

And the fact Ohtani was barely average on the mound the whole second half is a different set of concerns. He did lead the AL in strikeouts, but the ERA ballooned to 4.51 on the season.

It all lead to a 10-17 record in August. A truly pathetic showing that had everyone wondering if the first half was just smoke and mirrors and all the energy had just run out.

But it was Bartolo Colon providing the unexpected spark. A pair of gutsy relief outings where he gave up just 2 hits in 8 innings combined led to wins for the club and started getting morale back up.

In fact, what was a "just to get by" waiver claim turned into an established spot in the bullpen. Colon provided 70 innings of relief for the Angels, posting a very solid 3.47 ERA in the process and going 4-0 with 2 saves.

The performance was so good that team offered a 3-year contract extension worth $6 million in total to the 45-year-old pitcher, with the final year being a vesting option.

"We might not can count on him having more in the tank, but it's a small risk for the possibility that we might, " GM Yarrow commented.

The acquisition of Rondon also proved useful. Abreu wasn't bad himself, with the oddity on his line was three triples and just four home runs.

"I still can't believe the got those triples. I think the fielders just went easy on him, " Cozart joked.

The Angels did get quite a surprise in late August as Ian Kinsler just suddenly announced his retirement. There was no press release from Kinsler or anyone in his camp. The Angels said little about it on their end, mostly just confirming that he did indeed retire.

"I think they are as in the dark as we are. Maybe Kinsler will break silence about it soon. We can only guess, " one reporter commented.

Angels vs Red Sox in AL Wild Card Game

AL Wild Card Game
Angels 1, Red Sox 0 (11)
W: Bedrosian, L: Pomeranz, S: Skaggs
PotG: Ohtani
Abreu hits HR in 11th to give Angels the lead.

"What an excellent performance. He stood up to one of the game's premier aces and pitched him to a 0-0 draw, " Dan Pleasac spoke about Ohtani's performance, "His first postseason outing is a 4-hitter through seven with nine K's."

Indeed, with Chris Sale dealing zeroes for the Red Sox, it was a good thing that Ohtani didn't feel any big game nerves. The two power arms left sad bats in their wake as they battled for the right to move on to the ALDS.

This battle would extend into the bullpens, thanks to a tremendous play by Trout.

In the bottom of the 9th, Cam Bedrosian ran into trouble. The Red Sox got Bradley, Jr. to second with two outs. Pedroia was walked to set up the force, but Vazquez scorched a line drive deep to center field. But Trout retreat to near the wall and made a reaching catch to keep the game tied at 0-0.

It would stay that way until the 11th when Jose Abreu wrapped a flyball around Pesky's Pole to gave the Angels a 1-0 lead.

The Red Sox didn't go down without a fight. Bogaerts doubled to start the inning and he was moved up to third with one out. That was when Skaggs induced a short flyball to right field. Calhoun, brought in for defense, charged hard to make the catch. He fired home to hold Bogaerts at third with two outs. Skaggs then retired Vazquez on a fly to Trout to end the game and send the Angels forward.

"It felt so good to come through like that. That was the kind of moment I wanted to have since they came and got me, showing they believed I can get the Angels to this moment and come through once we got here. I'm glad I could do my part, put one in the seats in a key moment, " Abreu commented.

The Angels will have to deal with the Yankees in the ALCS. The Yankees posted the best record in baseball with 101 wins. The Yankees offense gets a lot of press because of Judge-Stanton, and they were 4th in runs scored...but the pitching, best in the AL both in the rotation and the bullpen, made the difference.

"That pitching is insane. And to think they have guys on the DL, key guys, and they still lapped the field on the mound. We're going to have to be beyond our best to win the ALCS, " Scoiscia spoke.

Indeed, the Yankees were without Chapman, Betances, Sabathia, and Kahnle for large portions of the season (and Gary Sanchez for that matter), evidently it didn't matter.

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Wow, Andrelton Simmons had a +36 ZR!

Like what the heck?

No wonder he had 7 WAR. That's by far the highest ZR I've ever seen on an infielder. Wow.

[KSUowls]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

My trading is Very Hard/ Heavily Favor Prospects

The trades I made were

Spoiler

POS, Player, Age, Curr/Potential (20-80 scale)

SP Ian Anderson 20, 20/55
C William Contreras, 20, 20/20

for

SP Carlos Rodon, 25, 50/60

I don't think this deal was unrealistically difficult for me. In fact, I feel like that's a pretty realistic deal and I may have gotten Rodon at a bargain. He definitely came cheaper than I expected when I saw them shopping him around.

The other deal I made was

SP Max Fried, 24, 25/50
SP Wes Parsons, 25, 25/40
SP Kolby Allard, 20, 25/50
SP Brandon McCarthy, 34, 40/40
3B Ryan Schimpf, 30, 35/35

for

SP Garrett Richards, 29, 55/55
*The Angels also retained 40% of his contract and took all of McCarthy's contract from me.

Richards came at a price, but not one I'd call unrealistic either. I did have to give up Allard who I didn't want to give up, but in return that made them willing to take on all of McCarthy's contract and retain 40% of Richards' contract. That's $10,000,000 for McCarthy and $2,920,000 for a total of $12,920,000 while I only am paying $4,380,000 for Richards now. I saved $8,540,000 with this deal and got a much better pitcher that is young enough to become a key piece of this quick rebuild.

In both deals I didn't even give up a player projected to be even as good as the player I got in return. Yea, it sucked to give up Allard and Fried in the same deal, but Fried is already 25 and I don't see him reaching his potential honestly. I think he'll wind up as a 45 and a spot starter. Allard is one I am going to keep an eye on. He may become a good pitcher, I have more confidence in that than I do with Fried, but the scouting report is not high on him being more than a 4 in the rotation.

The last deal I made was a low-key one, but I'll post it also.

RF Alex Jackson, 22, 20/30

for

C Zack Collins, 23, 30/80

If Collins turns into even half of what he's projected to be that's the steal of the decade... unless my scouting report on Jackson was wrong and he turns out to be a stud. Collins already has a 75/80 eye, his contact is only 35/60, but his HR Power is 60/65. His arm is a 55 while his defense is slightly above average at 45. So right now he's just about good enough to be put up in the league for spot duty if I really wanted to. Some teams have been interested in Suzuki, so acquiring Collins makes those deals more interesting now.

That's 3 trades through June 14th, 2018. More than I planned for, but the Rodon trade was brought on from Newcomb tearing his Meniscus and the White Sox shopping him around the same day. That deal was made immediately. The Richards deal was literally one that had so many counter offers it took nearly a full month in-game to come the final deal. It was the only one I had planned to make. The Collins deal came about because I inquired about him and the White Sox only asked for Jackson in return and I couldn't accept that deal quick enough.

I will note that at the time of all 3 of these deals I used the 40/30/20/10 AI Evaluation weights. I've since altered it to a 35/35/20/10 weighting, but have not tried to even get into talks with anyone since that change. In my eyes all 3 deals don't seem unrealistic at all. Really, I feel like I won both deals with the White Sox and the Richards deal doesn't seem too bad to me either despite giving up 3 young arms just because Richards is sill young enough to be a solid piece for years to come and they improved my financials by $8+ million with taking on McCarthy's contract and retaining near half of Richards'.

I also want to note that my scouting accuracy is very low, but was at low at the time of all 3 deals.

Those trades seem pretty realistic to me.

Ian Anderson and Contreras for Rodon looks pretty fair. I could see the White Sox maybe asking for a little more, but getting a 20 y/o with good potential as a centerpiece in return isn't too bad. I'm guessing it did help that they were actively shopping him.

The Richards deal was pretty pricey imo. LAA did take on all of McCarthy's salary so you'd expect to have to give up a little more, but that still seems steep. It isn't like you were trading some mediocre piece with a big salary, the Angels got a quality SP in return and all they really had to give up in return was some cash. They also picked 3 quality prospects. Not every deal will be a win though so I wouldn't say that's bad AI logic when factoring in the others.

Edit: 4) Since I use the default AI evaluation settings (65/20/10/5), would that alter the experience of the various trading difficulties?

My limited understanding is that yes it does affect the types of trades that are made. I've seen a lot of people on the OOTP forums, in multiple versions, suggest something like 40/30/20/10 (off the top of my head, but something like that) which, from what I've read, makes the AI favor stats a little more over rating potential. I'm not an expert though, and I definitely haven't tested this.

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

My limited understanding is that yes it does affect the types of trades that are made. I've seen a lot of people on the OOTP forums, in multiple versions, suggest something like 40/30/20/10 (off the top of my head, but something like that) which, from what I've read, makes the AI favor stats a little more over rating potential. I'm not an expert though, and I definitely haven't tested this.

Yeah, that's a common split I remember even from older OOTP days (like OOTP6, the last time I was probably really into OOTP outside of using it for online leagues).

If anything, I would weight the current year the least due to sample size and how stats start correlating to "true ability" (in this game, ratings and the scout's opinion on them) and the prior two years would have more influence on that due to sample, unless the player was hurt those years. In fact, I think I'll try a new split, something like 50/10/20/20, and see if it impacts anything this upcoming season.

[KSUowls]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Yeah, that's a common split I remember even from older OOTP days (like OOTP6, the last time I was probably really into OOTP outside of using it for online leagues).

If anything, I would weight the current year the least due to sample size and how stats start correlating to "true ability" (in this game, ratings and the scout's opinion on them) and the prior two years would have more influence on that due to sample, unless the player was hurt those years. In fact, I think I'll try a new split, something like 50/10/20/20, and see if it impacts anything this upcoming season.

I'd be interested to see how that works. I wish you could set like a dynamic AI evaluation based on the calendar. I agree that using the current year could be skewed from sample size early on, but by the time the trade deadline comes around in late July I'd definitely trust what a guy is doing this year more so than in the past. I guess you can always manually change it, but I like automation lol.

[WaitTilNextYear]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

All this convo about settings probably goes better in the OFFICIAL OOTP thread, but since we're discussing it here (and there's only like 5 of us posting anyway, lol)...my AI eval settings are 60/20/15/5. I put a heavier weight on ratings because I don't want to bamboozle the cpu out of talented, young players that are having a down statistical year/month etc. I feel like this puts a good weight on the talent under the hood with the statistical performance thrown in as a kicker. I have scouting on "low" as well. I like how that works with the 1-100 ratings scale. I don't use the 20-80 scale because of too much repetition with everyone being a 45/50/55 etc.

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

I'd be interested to see how that works. I wish you could set like a dynamic AI evaluation based on the calendar. I agree that using the current year could be skewed from sample size early on, but by the time the trade deadline comes around in late July I'd definitely trust what a guy is doing this year more so than in the past. I guess you can always manually change it, but I like automation lol.

I couldn't trust one half for pitchers at all...and especially relievers. Ohtani gave me an example of that. Lights out first half, worst than Bartolo Colon in the second half. Which of those can be definitively said as Ohtani's ability and what the heck with Colon?

All this convo about settings probably goes better in the OFFICIAL OOTP thread, but since we're discussing it here (and there's only like 5 of us posting anyway, lol)...my AI eval settings are 60/20/15/5. I put a heavier weight on ratings because I don't want to bamboozle the cpu out of talented, young players that are having a down statistical year/month etc. I feel like this puts a good weight on the talent under the hood with the statistical performance thrown in as a kicker. I have scouting on "low" as well. I like how that works with the 1-100 ratings scale. I don't use the20-80 scale because of too much repetition with everyone being a 45/50/55 etc.

LOL or a separate thread about ratings/AI eval (which might be nice for others to read all our thoughts in one place). In fact, I'll start one lol

The bold is why I'll always stay ratings heavy and the second part is why I kinda like 20-80. I'm thinking there's either not a lot of difference between 45-55 (since they are so common like you said) or there's 45's and there's 45's that are closer to 50 (or knocked down due to other factors).

That said, I used to love 1-100 but could see why I'd need more uncertainty "built-in" with a more specific scaling.

[bravesfan1984]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Awesome stuff wtny! Will probably follow your lead with those settings. I just started up one and am in search of a manager for my Braves. I'm having a tough time deciding.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Angels Sweep in Stunning Upset
Offense Stars Against Top AL Staff

Jose Abreu must be fired up because he was the key man in the Angels pulling of an amazing sweep of the Yankees.

He was named ALDS MVP with a .545 batting average in the series, including three home runs. He leads the Angels in postseason home runs with four.

"I'm just glad to contribute. That's a tough staff and they had a great season. We were lucky to catch them in a down time in the postseason, " Abreu commented.

Game three was the closest with an 8-7 score. Ohtani started this one and was knocked out early after four innings. The offense had his back, though, putting seven on Tanaka. The Angels bullpen was able to hang on as the Yankees clawed back to a 1-run deficit.

The Angels will face the Indians, who pulled off a sweep of the Astros.

L.A vs L.A As Angels, Dodgers Advance to World Series

The Angels had a tougher time with the Indians, but found a way, perhaps thanks to one swing of the bat.

With the series tied 2-2 and the Angels down 3-1 in the 9th, Jabari Blash hit a walk-off three-run home run to put the Angels on top 3-2.

"The place was going crazy. The guys poured out of the dugout. I'm not sure if I even touched the plate, " Blash laughed.

Garrett Richards was knocked out after 3 innings, the bullpen provided 6 innings of shutout relief. That allowed to stay in the game against Kluber, who was lights out.

The bullpen featured heavily in the clinching victory, allowing one run in five innings of work.

Some have questioned Scoiscia's use of his pitching staff. However, it seems to be working as he's guided the team back to the World Series.

[bravesfan1984]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

I couldn't trust one half for pitchers at all...and especially relievers. Ohtani gave me an example of that. Lights out first half, worst than Bartolo Colon in the second half. Which of those can be definitively said as Ohtani's ability and what the heck with Colon?



LOL or a separate thread about ratings/AI eval (which might be nice for others to read all our thoughts in one place). In fact, I'll start one lol

The bold is why I'll always stay ratings heavy and the second part is why I kinda like 20-80. I'm thinking there's either not a lot of difference between 45-55 (since they are so common like you said) or there's 45's and there's 45's that are closer to 50 (or knocked down due to other factors).

That said, I used to love 1-100 but could see why I'd need more uncertainty "built-in" with a more specific scaling.

As a newbie here, I'd love to see a thread started for that!

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

[KBLover]

Re: OOTP 19 Franchise Progress

Angels and Dodgers Do Battle to Decide Champion

Game 1:

Spoiler

Dodgers 2, Angels 1
W: Buehler (2-1), L: Ohtani (1-1), S: Alexander (1)

Ohtani was cruising along in his first World Series outing. He was working on a no-hitter through six innings and trying to protect a 1-0 lead against Kershaw.

However, a defense lapse from the last place expected upset the zone. Mike Trout of all people booted a routine flyball to give the Dodgers an extra out.

Next batter? Bellinger 2-run HR.

The only hit Ohtani allowed put the Dodgers up 2-1.

And that would be the final score.

"It hurts. It really does. It's bad enough to lose a hard-fought game like that, but when you're the cause of it, it really hurts. Even if he [Ohtani] gave up a home run to Cody [Bellinger] next time out, it's 1-1, not 2-1. It really hurts, " Trout spoke after the game.

Game 2:

Spoiler

Angels 3, Dodgers 1
W: Richards (1-0), L: Wood (0-1), S: Bedrosian (5)


Garrett Richard led the way on the mound while Jose Abreu continued his postseason power assault with a 2-run HR in the 4th inning that would be all the runs the Angels would need.

"Garrett gave us the outing we needed, let us gave some the boys in the bullpen a little time off, " Scoiscia commented.

Richards went seven innings and allowed just one run. Bedrosian picked up his fifth save of the playoffs.

Game 3:

Spoiler

Angels 4, Dodgers 3 (11)
W: Ramirez (1-0), L: Fields (0-1)


The Angels pulled this one out in 11 innings, but it was Ohtani that gave them the chance.

In the 9th, the Angels were down 3-2, but Ohtani came through with an RBI single to tie the game at three.

"I wanted to come through, make up for losing the first game, " Ohtani spoke via translator, "I'm happy I was able to get my job done."

The game-winning hit came from Nick Solak via a walk-off home run in the 11th. Solak is playing now because of Kinsler surprise retirement.

The Angels bullpen threw four innings of relief, allowing no runs in the process.

Game 4:

Spoiler

Angels 3, Dodgers 2
W: Petrick (1-0), L: Stripling (1-1), S: Rondon (1)


Two stud young starting pitchers took the mound as Urias and Ohtani were set to duel.

Both went five innings and both men allowed just one run. Ohtani did issue five walks, but in the end, he helped keep the score at 1-1.

And, of course, it was Jose Abreu that was in the middle of the offense. He drove in all three runs, including another home run to give him eight in the postseason.

The Dodgers had a chance in the 9th as Bellinger reached base and stole second, but Yasiel Puig chopped a ball right off the plate and was retired to end the game.

Game 5:

Spoiler

Dodgers 4, Angels 3 (10)
W: Jansen (1-0), L: Petrick (1-1)


Both Kershaw and Richards were knocked out after the 5th inning with the score tied at three apiece.

Bullpens went to work and this time it was the Angels bullpen that faltered first.

Logan Forsythe hit a grounder to Simmons at short and the Angels shortstop made a rare miscue. His error allowed the go-ahead run to score in the top of the 10th.

"I ran as hard as I could to make sure he couldn't recover in time. I knew that was the game right there, and he's a great defender. So I hustled as much as I could, " Forsythe spoke.

Joc Pederson came across with the go-ahead run, grabbing high-fives and slaps on the back from his mates in the dugout.

Simmons was visibly angry, kicking the infield dirt in frustration and slamming his glove in the dugout between half-innings.

Game 6:

Spoiler

Dodgers 5, Angels 4 (12)
W: Fields (2-1), L: Ramirez (1-1)


Alex Wood had shut the Angels down through five innings. He allowed just one hit and one run.

Stripling then came in and the Angels promptly tied the game on Blash's fourth home run of the postseason.

In the 9th, the Angels again had to rally, this time getting a home run from Cozart off Alexander to force extra innings.

Once again, both bullpens exhausted themselves and it was a war of attrition. The Dodgers would win after Justin Turner drove in the winning run on a sac fly to make the score 5-4 and force a game seven.

"This is what we wanted, get back in the series, get back the momentum, and then bring it all down to one game to decide it all. We have the energy, they just suffered a crushing loss and blew their lead. We did what we wanted to do, " Joc Pederson commented.

Game 7:

Spoiler

Angels 5, Dodgers 4 (13)
W: Johnson (1-1), L: Baez (0-1)

This game had the feel and the play of two teams that had no intentions of backing down.

Ohtani gave up two home runs in five innings as he was down 3-1 when he was lifted for the bullpen.

But Stripling again give the Angels an opening and the score was tied 3-3.

The score would remain at 3-3 until the 12th when Rene Rivera poked a home run out to right to give the Angels the lead.

But it was a short-lived lead as the Dodgers fought right back as Justin Turner tied the game up with an RBI single.

The Angels fought back themselves with a home run from, who else, Jose Abreu, his 10th in of the postseason.

The Angels would retire the side in order in the bottom of the 13th and celebrate a World Series victory.

Players poured out onto the field and sheer joy, one made sweet by the intense and hard-fought nature of the entire series.

"It's absolute crazy and amazing in here right now, " Trout commented, "We had to leave it all out there and when that rewarded with success, this [gesturing around the clubhouse] is what you get."

Jose Abreu was named World Series MVP. His final postseason line has a .299 batting average with 10 home runs.

The Angels get to celebrate while the Dodgers can only wonder "what if".

"You can't help but think how this would have turned out if we didn't dig a 3-1 hole for ourselves. If we make that 2-2, we would be the ones celebrating right now in game six, " Dodgers manager Dave Roberts commented.

Instead, the Angels have their 2nd Championship and Ohtani gets a World Series ring in his first season in the majors. Angels fans must feel like they are in heaven right now.