Whether by coincidence or design, the Angels put themselves into position to save at least $750,000 with the way they ordered their pitchers in a win over Texas on Friday.
Needing to fill a start vacated by the injured Andrew Heaney, they picked from a stacked September bullpen of 14 men and settled on one who had not started a game all year.
In total, they used seven relievers, standard practice for this stage of the season. But, to start the game, they made a curious choice. Rather than start Jesse Chavez or Yusmeiro Petit, both of whom have started for them this season, the Angels chose Bud Norris, their former closer, then used Chavez and Petit in relief.