August 1st, 2008 by Nich Hall
With the Angels owning the best record in the AL, they would face the Wild Card winner in the ALDS, barring an enormous collapse. This past week the Angels have come to the right coast and appear to be trying to decide the AL East race by themselves. After an impressive sweep of the Sox at Fenway, part of seven straight wins against Boston, the Angels were in to New York to say their goodbyes to Yankee Stadium. For a team supposedly pitching driven the Angels pounded the Yanks in the series opener. Torri Hunter, Vladimir Guerrerro and Juan Rivera each hit a three run homer as the Angels doubled up New York 12-6. The recently acquired Mark Teixeira joined in the fun and his first hit with L.A. also brought in his first run as a member of the Angels. The Angels domination of the Yankees ended by far their most productive month of the season.
The club has won 13 of their last 15 games, part of an 19-6 July which has left the Angels with a club record 12.5 game lead in the AL West. Torri Hunter pointed out the obvious last night, “This is definitely the best we’ve played all season long.” The Angels averaged 6.4 runs a game this month with a team average around .294. That is almost double the run production from May and June. A grinning Teixeira after the game spoke to just how good this team is. With a league best record of 68-40 the Angels have their best record ever after 108 games. Right now the Angels biggest concerns are staying healhty and dealing with the fact if they keep blowing teams out Fransisco Rodriguez won’t hit the field. Any team in the American league would switch places with L.A. right now. And that’s precisely why Mark Teixeira can’t stop smiling.
Tonight
Ervin Santana (11-5, 3.57) @ Sidney Ponson (6-2, 4.59) - 4:05 PT
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July 30th, 2008 by Nich Hall
In case you weren’t aware the LA Angels are currently the best team in baseball. If you don’t believe me just ask the Boston Red Sox, the defending World Series champions, who lost their sixth consecutive game to the club last night. And not only were they beaten by the Angels at Fenway for the fourth time this season they were completely shutdown. John Lackey pitched 8 1/3 innings of no hit baseball in the Angels 6-2 victory. The win pushed the Angels’ league leading win total to 66 and their lead in the AL West to an astounding 11.5 games. Now to the good news, well depending on what team your managing. The Angels appear to be pulling it all together. Their pitching staff is as sound as any, with three pitchers that could be number ones in many cities; Santana, Lackey, Saunders and a fourth option in either Weaver or Garland that are streaky but can be just as good as the others. Then of course their is the Angels bullpen headlined by the record breaking pace of the Angels closer Fransisco Rodriguez, who currently has 44 saves. The Angels are good at home (31-21) and even better on the road (35-19) and to make things even worse on opponents the Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher finally has this team swinging the bat they way they were expected to. To add to the mix the Angels went out and got the best available hitter on the trade market.
The Angels sent first baseman Casey Kotchman and double-A pitcher Steve Marek to the Braves for two time gold glover Mark Teixeira. Teixeira brings a .283 average, 78 RBI’s (sixth in the NL), and 20 home runs to an already strong Angels lineup. The trade deadline acquisition by LA signifies a drastic switch in team policy. For years Mike Scioscia’s club has stood pat in July and consistently seen their season fizzle out in October. First year general manager Tony Reagins was not willing to take that chance with this club. He explained the deal before the Red Sox game last night, “Our goal is to win a world championship, the team is playing well, but being able to add a player like Mark Teixeira makes us that much better.” Teixeira who will be in the lineup tonight wearing the number 25 and batting third shared Reagins enthusiasim for the deal, “”A World Series, for me, would make this trade successful.” Reagins and Teixeira will have to wait and see but as of today this trade is the Angels making a definitive challenge to the Red Sox, Yankees, and White Sox of the world, come and get us.
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