SB Nation - Jered Weaver

Bobby Abreu: Should He Stay or Should He Go?

Rev Halofan — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:12:42 -0000

More photos » by Charles Krupa - AP

Veteran outfielder Bobby Abreu was a key contributor in 2009 for the Angels.

With incentives, he was paid $6 Million (a bargain that arose due to financial uncertainties in the world economy over the past Winter) and scored 96 runs, walked 94 times, hit 15 HRs and batted .293. He is one of 19 Angel players to drive in more than 100 runs in a season in franchise history.

Bobby is a free agent. Should the Angels re-sign him?

We have no player in the minor leagues with a skill set anywhere near what Bobby Abreu has, although his Age 36 Season is far from a guarantee (though he proved doubters in the Bronx wrong this year). And of course, with an improved world economy and a weak free agent class, he is likely going to get a pay increase and a guarantee for 2011 as well.

Without Bobby Abreu the Angels corner outfield depth is as follows:

Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr., Reggie Willits, Terry Evans, Chris Pettit.

Sure, Chone Figgins can be re-signed and moved to an outfield corner. Sure, Jason Bay or Matt Holliday could be signed (and we will be dealing with Scott Boras in Jered Weaver's arbitration hearing this winter so we can and do and will deal with him for Holiday over any player we want whom he represents).

Is $8.5 Million per year for two years going to bring in Bobby and will he be the plate discipline Messiah he was in 2009? How high should we bid, how long can he play and would Bay or Holliday be a better investment if we are shelling anything like that out? Should he stay or should he go?

Poll

Should the Angels Re-Sign Bobby Abreu instead of pursuing Jason Bay or Matt Holliday as Free Agents?

Yes

550 votes

Let's see what Bay and Holliday want

515 votes

No, at 36 he is a big risk.

118 votes

1183 votes | Poll has closed

Angels Stayin' Alive, Happy B-Day John Lackey: Friday Halolinks

WiHaloFan — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:44:13 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

"Were you worried? I wasn't worried! Okay, maybe a little bit."

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Angels keep their season going with Game 5 victory -- latimes.com
"Man, it could be 2 degrees, snowing and hailing, and we'll play," Angels center fielder Torii Hunter said. "It's going to be wet. It's going to be soggy. I'm looking forward to it. It's going to be exciting." It would be hard to imagine the Angels and Yankees packing more excitement into nine innings than they did Thursday night.

Angels rally and survive late scare to win Game 6, 7-6. - OCRegister.com
For six innings, Lackey was the Angels’ man on the wall. He cruised into the seventh inning with a 4-0 lead only to run into the kind of moment that would have haunted the Angels all winter, replacing last fall’s failed squeeze bunt as the most controversial decision of Mike Sciosica’s managerial career.

Angels rally for three in seventh, push Yankees to Game 6 - CBSSports.com
Mere moments after the Los Angeles Angels unleashed their leaping, screeching, rambunctious Rally Monkey on the scoreboard, they erased a late deficit and saved their season. Surely that monkey business was just a coincidence. He's just a marketing gimmick, a video star and a plush toy -- right?

Team Reports - CBSSports.com
Manager Mike Scioscia made one minor change to his batting order for Game 5, moving slumping LF Juan Rivera down one spot to seventh against RHP A.J. Burnett. With LHP Andy Pettitte scheduled to start Game 6, he might consider some more significant changes. "We're going to absorb this one," Scioscia said. "We'll talk as a staff and see where we're going to go."

Video highlights from last night's game:

TV, radio calls for the Halos' first frame - MLB.com
TV and radio broadcasters make the call for the Angels' four-run first inning

Lackey fans seven Yanks in 6 2/3 innings - MLB.com
John Lackey strikes out seven Yankees in 6 2/3 innings of work

Angels score three in the seventh - MLB.com
The Angels retake the lead by scoring three in the seventh inning

Weaver blanks the Yanks in the eighth - MLB.com
Potential Game 7 starter Jered Weaver pitches a scoreless eighth in relief, striking out two

TV, radio calls for final out - MLB.com
TV and radio calls for the final out of Game 5 between the Yankees and Angels

Halos hold on to send it back to the Bronx - MLB.com
Daily Recap: The Halos, who rallied for a three-run seventh, kept their season going by beating the Yanks in Game 5 of the ALCS

Game 5 Highlights and interviews - MLB.com

After Thrill of Angels’ Game 5 Victory, a Rush of Relief - NYTimes.com
"I’ve got a headache," said Torii Hunter, who came off the field after the Yankees scored six runs in the seventh inning and slammed his glove in the dugout. "I got gray hair, if I let my hair grow out." Of course, Hunter wore a huge smile, too, one that was shared around the clubhouse.

Angels, Brian Fuentes survive adventurous ninth - Joe Posnanski - SI.com
The Yankees' first three hitters in the inning were Johnny Damon, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez -- and yes, just those three hitters made a combined $65 million this year, more than six teams in the big leagues.

Angels' rally gives them second life - CBSSports.com
The night was already overstuffed with raw nerves and jangly emotions. And Angels manager Mike Scioscia still went ahead and replaced hot new set-up man Jered Weaver with closer Brian Fuentes to start the ninth. Why not just signal the ushers to pass out Maalox to the 45,113 screaming themselves hoarse in Angels Stadium?

Scioscia on a tightrope - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
After the Angels failed to score with another mini-rally, it was the top of the ninth, and Scioscia, needing a victory to stave off elimination, had yet another major decision.

Los Angeles Angels rescue manager from scrutiny with win in ALCS Game 5 - ESPN
But for Southern California baseball fans and Internet second-guessers, two decisions by Scioscia would have made for bountiful talk-show fodder if the Angels' season had ended Thursday. Ron Gardenhire, Terry Francona, Jim Tracy, Tony La Russa and Joe Torre are all sitting at home, but Scioscia lives to manage another day because his closer, Brian Fuentes, was slightly less of a train wreck than two of the relievers who preceded him.

Drama, strategy gaffes frame Game 5's wild inning - Stan McNeal - MLB - Sporting News
In the inning, every player but one in both lineups went to bat. The Yankees' Nick Swisher batted twice, and made two outs. At least one glove was thrown in the Angels' dugout ("I was (upset)," Torii Hunter said. At least one pitcher (John Lackey) lost his cool. Four pitching changes were made, one too early and one not early enough.

Angels refuse to go into that good night with 7-6 win - USATODAY.com
Still, in a postseason where every series has been a rout, this one now has a clear whiff of uncertainty. "Anything's possible," Hunter said. "We're grinders. That's what we do." Thursday was the kind of victory that can make a team believe. If the Angels win Game 6, it'll be a tense Sunday in the Bronx.

Opinion: Wild 7th inning is 45 minutes of high drama - nbcsports.msnbc.com
"Nine runs in one inning. That doesn't happen in the postseason," said Angels reliever Kevin Jepsen, who gave up a two-run triple to Robinson Cano that allowed the Yankees to take a two-run lead after they began the inning trailing 4-0.

Saunders heads to Bronx with momentum - angelsbaseball.com
"Well, they are the favorites," Saunders said. "But after this [Game 5 win], we've obviously got a lot of confidence, a lot of momentum. We're going to be ready to play. It's going to be the usual Yankee hostile environment. They're going to be all over us. It's going to be a good battle."

Fack Youk Exclusive: A Conspiracy
As you may be aware, Fack Youk has been involved in a bit of a blogowar with a certain Angels' blog whom I refuse to name or link to any longer given the sheer amount of garbage they've spewed over the past week.

This is a pretty good Yankee's blog which, although they're not too impressed with Halos Heaven, I encourage you to visit.

Los Angeles Dodgers' Frank McCourt fires wife Jamie as CEO - SI.com
"Jamie was disappointed and saddened by her termination," Jamie McCourt's lawyer Dennis Wasser said. "As co-owner of the Dodgers, she will address this and all other issues in the court room."

This is going to get UGLY!

October 23 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 23.
Happy birthday to 2009 ALCS Game Five Should-Have-Been-Winner: 1978 - John Lackey, pitcher; All-Star

Poll

Should Jered Weaver have stayed in the game and pitched the 9th?

No, it worked out fine with Fuentes

185 votes

Yes, he was dominating the Yanks

591 votes

776 votes | Poll has closed

Vladimir Guererro Is Not Moving: Monday Halolinks

WiHaloFan — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 15:25:55 -0000

More photos » by Kathy Willens - AP

Don't try this at home!

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Game Preview - Sporting News
On an afternoon expected to feature near-perfect baseball weather, New York's Andy Pettitte will attempt to win his major league-record 16th postseason game against Jered Weaver, specifically chosen for this start by Angels manager Mike Scioscia because of the southern California native's prowess at home. "We know this thing can turn in a heartbeat,'' Scioscia said. "If we win Game 3, we've got a different vibe in this series, and that's what you want to create.''

Angels warm to task of getting back in ALCS vs. Yankees - The Boston Globe
"Oh man, it’s great now,’’ said Angels center fielder Torii Hunter. "Now I can work on my tan again. It’s going to be great for both ball clubs. There’s no excuses out there in New York. Both teams were cold. To say it affected us is not right. It’s always nice to be in this warm weather . . . stay loose.

Two-game hole doesn't mean Angels are too far gone - CBSSports.com Baseball
"You'd better believe we'll be back here [for Game 6]," manager Mike Scioscia said as he walked out of his Yankee Stadium office. "I'm leaving my briefcase here." For the record, Scioscia took the briefcase, but he had made his point.

Team Reports - MLB at CBSSports.com
The Angels went 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the Game 2 loss, stranding 16 baserunners, including 11 from the seventh inning on. "We did a lot of good things out there on that ballfield tonight," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Unfortunately, one of them wasn't hitting with runners in scoring position, and that's eventually what hurt us."

'Up and away' left Angels down and out in ALCS -- latimes.com
From center field in Yankee Stadium on Saturday night, Torii Hunter saw catcher Jeff Mathis call for an 0-and-2 fastball to New York slugger Alex Rodriguez in the 11th inning, with the Angels trying to protect a 3-2 lead in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. Then he saw Mathis set up high and outside. "I wanted to call timeout," Hunter said. "I saw it and thought, 'Nooooo!' Alex is one of the greatest players in the game. You know he's going to hit that pitch. There's a short porch in right field. . . . We threw two fastballs inside, and he didn't budge. Then we threw one away . . . that was weird."

The LA Angels Are Playing Without A Clean-Up HItter - Bleacher Report
Vladdy is missing fastballs right down the middle of the plate as well. Not because he can’t hit a fastball anymore, but because Vladdy once again has not changed his mentality at all and considered the fact that this team doesn’t need him to hit homers every at bat. So he’s swinging from his heels and staring at the fans on the third base side after his follow-through. The one time he didn’t, the one time he had a controlled swing to make contact, he won the game. But rather than make that the rule, he’s made it the exception.

Why Mike Scioscia won't switch - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
Why won't Mike Scioscia move the struggling Vladimir Guerrero out of the cleanup spot? Well, after being around the team most of the season and spending considerable time with the manager, here is why I'm convinced it's not going to happen during this postseason:

Angels should try moving Vlad down - FOX Sports on MSN
I asked three scouts Sunday about Vladimir Guerrero, and it sure did not sound like they were talking about a cleanup hitter. "Late on fastballs," said the first. "An out," said the second. "Done," said the third. Then I asked Angels manager Mike Scioscia if he planned to drop Guerrero from the cleanup spot for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Scioscia answered no.

Buster Olney: After 13 innings, 310 minutes and 432 pitches, Game 2 of the ALCS turned out to be a postseason classic, filled with both regret and redemption for the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. - ESPN
7. Regret: Scioscia writes Vladimir Guerrero's name into the cleanup spot in the Angels' lineup. Guerrero has had an incredible run with the Angels, and he probably is destined to be inducted into the Hall of Fame someday, but in Game 2 he was the weakest link in the Angels' lineup; Scioscia watched from the dugout as the Yankees' pitchers went after Guerrero the way a pride of lions target a limping wildebeest. He struggles to catch up to inside fastballs, falling behind in the count and then flailing at every breaking ball within two time zones of home plate. Guerrero went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and struck out a couple of times. He has excellent career numbers against Andy Pettitte, the Yankees' Game 3 starter, with nine hits in 23 at-bats. But Pettitte will try to pound Guerrero with cut fastballs inside, and if he has it rough again in Game 3, Scioscia presumably would consider moving the slugger down in his lineup, as he did during the regular season. (subscription required)

October 19 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 19.
2002 - The San Francisco Giants take the World Series opener with a 4 - 3 win over the Anaheim Angels. Barry Bonds, Reggie Sanders and J.T. Snow hit home runs for the Giants as pitcher Jason Schmidt gets the win. Troy Glaus hits a pair of home runs for Anaheim.
Happy birthday to former Angels 2B - 1943 - Sandy Alomar, infielder; All-Star

Poll

What should Mike Scioscia do with Vladimir Guerrero?

Leave him alone

263 votes

Move him down to 5th in the batting order

89 votes

Move him down to 6th in the batting order

236 votes

Move him to another place in the batting order (comment below)

31 votes

Bench him

106 votes

725 votes | Poll has closed

Do lefties actually fare better at Yankee Stadium?

Travis G — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:15:23 -0000

More photos » by Bill Kostroun - AP

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Word out of Angel camp is that Mike Scioscia will split up his two best pitchers in order to start southpaw Joe Saunders at the Stadium. Is he making a smart move? Do lefties actually fare better at Yankee Stadium?

In the limited sample of one season, yes, they do. LHP allowed a batting line of .265/.342/.434. RHP were hit a touch harder in the OBP and SLG categories: .268/.351/.452. That's an OPS difference of .27.

But now the question is whether Jered Weaver is .27 OPSA better than Joe Saunders. He is not.

Saunders' OPSA: .794

Weaver' OPSA: .723

So even subtracting .27 from Saunders' OPSA brings it to .767, still .44 worse than Weaver. Maybe Scioscia is not making the right move by going with the lesser option in game two.

Lackey And Saunders are Angels ALCS Yankee Stadium Starters

Rev Halofan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 23:14:05 -0000

More photos » by Jae C. Hong - AP

2 months ago: Los Angeles Angels helmets are shown during baseball practice in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009. The Angels will face the New York Yankees in the America League championship series beginning Friday in New York. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

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ALCS Game 1: John Lackey @ CC Sabathia

ALCS Game 2: Joe Saunders @ A.J. Burnett

According to the Angels' own website, pitchers John Lackey and Joe Saunders will be the starters in ALCS games 1 and 2 at Yankee Stadium. The assumed Yankee pitchers in those games will be CC Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. The logic of starting Saunders is two-fold: Lefties pace good at the billion-dollar-Bronx-bandbox and Angel Righty Weaver dominates on his home turf, where Games 3 and 4 are scheduled to take place.

While the Angels have many choices in great pitchers, the Yankees are hindered in a laughable dropoff in starting pitcher strength after their "Initial" two starters. The Bronx Bust may have to gas-out the obese Sabathia while the Halos have a luxury of four able-bodied starters in reserve in Matt Palmer, Ervin Santana, Scott Kazmir and Jered Weaver.

Poll

Is Lackey / Saundo in the Bronx a Good Call?

Yes

669 votes

No

99 votes

768 votes | Poll has closed

John Lackey and Some Fat Guy to Face Off in Game 1: Tuesday Halolinks

WiHaloFan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 15:29:34 -0000

More photos » by Elaine Thompson - AP

"Is Jeter eating my hot dog?"

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Analysis: Angels Exposed Papelbon’s Flaws - Bats Blog - NYTimes.com
The starter Jered Weaver, who allowed more than half of his batted balls in the air, could be in for a particularly rough time. If the Angels’ hurlers cannot adapt their approach to counter the slugging strength of their next opponents, they will most likely find themselves sent home every bit as quickly as the Red Sox were in the first round.

It's a role reversal for Angels -- latimes.com
Now it's on to the American League Championship Series against New York -- Game 1 of the best-of-seven series is Friday in Yankee Stadium -- and it will be the Yankees, of all teams, who will have to answer the same questions that grew wearisome for the Angels.The Yankees may be baseball royalty, the franchise with 26 World Series trophies, but the Angels have won both of their playoff series against the Yankees, eliminating them in 2002 and 2005 division series.

Selig: I have no desire to expand instant replay - FOX Sports on MSN
"This goes on every time there's a controversial call," Selig said. "I understand the Phil Cuzzi call and others. But frankly, I'm quite satisfied with the way things are. "We need to do a little work, clean up some things. But do I think we need more replay? No. Baseball is not the kind of game that can have interminable delays."

But game changing umpire mistakes are okay!

Angels enjoying a season of comebacks - angelsbaseball.com
Resiliency was a trademark during the regular season, and it carried over into the playoffs. They set a franchise record with 47 comeback victories during the year, and they've tacked on two more in the AL Division Series.

Yankees-Angels: Preview Position by Position - Bleacher Report

Previewing the Yankees-Angels series position by position (but not very well).

ALCS Analysis: Angels vs. Yankees - CBSSports.com Baseball
The Angels are one team that won't be intimidated by coming to the Bronx, where the ALCS begins Friday night. Manager Mike Scioscia holds a 50-41 record against the Yankees -- making the Angels the only American League team with a winning record against New York over the past nine years -- and nine Angels remain from the team that eliminated the Yanks in the first round in 2005.

Analysis - Angels Can Win in Various Ways, and Often Have - NYTimes.com
Cashman added: "They’ve had long-ball issues. It’s something that was missing from their end a little bit — not that they’ve ever had a problem with us — but I think they can basically beat you in a number of different ways. So they’re a very dangerous team. Hey, to beat Boston, you have to be a dangerous team."

Plenty of reasons to love Los Angeles Angels and more notes - Jon Heyman - SI.com
The Angels, classy organization that they are, voted to give late pitcher Nick Adenhart a full postseason share, clubhouse sources confirmed. So Adenhart's former teammates are honoring the Adenharts with both their pay and their play.

Joe Posnanski - Seven Levels of the Torii Walk
First, the situation: Boston led the Angels by a run. Ninth inning. Two outs. Men on second and third. Torii Hunter stepped to the plate. Vladimir Guerrero waited on deck. The Red Sox called for the intentional walk.

The Baseball Analysts: Should Francona Have Intentionally Walked Hunter to Get to Guerrero?
While obviously the walk didn’t pay off for Francona and the Red Sox, was it a good move strategically? With runners on second and third, a single most likely scores the go-ahead run. A walk, however, does not immediately hurt you.

The Yankees Are Good, and It Has Nothing To Do With A-Rod Playing Peekaboo - Andy Hutchins - Sporting News
They rolled to 103 wins without extraordinary luck (their .309 BA on balls in play, especially compared to the Angels' .326 mark, is just about average) and by sacrificing fielding (they're third to last in the majors in Ultimate Zone Rating/150 at -4.7), so they're not without their chinks in the armor. And they've actually lost games to the Angels (5-5 record this year), unlike their ALDS opponent, who they swept 7-0 in the regular season before sweeping in the playoffs.

Curb, Muggings, UFL and the TBS Lead Booth Not In Postseason Form - Dan Levy - Sporting News
Sunday night, in the late innings of the Yankees clincher over the Twins, Caray stated that the Twins were having to string together at-bats to score, noting in that half inning they had "a double and a hit."

Blown calls by umpires in postseason spur talk of replay review - Joe Posnanski - SI.com
But, of course, baseball replay is inescapable now because these playoffs have been an umpiring disaster. I don't know if it's a trend -- it probably isn't a trend. It's probably just a bad run of high-profile missed calls. But it has felt like an epidemic, and it was topped off by the almost-impossible-to-believe missed call on Joe Mauer's sure-double against the Yankees on Friday night -- that ball was fair by a foot. Trend or not, this is the sort of thing that gets people talking, and the talk now is replay.

Boston fans team up on Angels’ fan in wheelchair - OCRegister.com
"So, I’m walking to the Angels game on Friday night and I see a couple of Sox fans turn around and start jawing at an Angels fan in a wheelchair and I’m thinking, ‘Oh, no. What’s this?’

Scioscia mulls pitching rotation - OCRegister.com
"We have four guys who all have the capability of being that guy," Scioscia said. "I don't think there's any guy we're going to be starting in this series that we wouldn't be comfortable starting in that (Game 7) scenario."

ALCS figures to lead with aces - angelsbaseball.com
Lackey has appeared in three playoff games against the Yankees, twice as a starter. He has surrendered three earned runs and 10 hits in 14 1/3 innings for a 1.88 ERA.

Yankees will be favored, but . . . - Los Angeles Times
The Yankees will be favored in the American League Championship Series. But after what the Angels accomplished in Boston, against a team many of us thought matched up better against them than the guys in pinstripes, well, let's just say the gentlemen from the West Coast have some things in their favor, as well.

PR-USA.net - Information Builders Predicts Major League Baseball's 2009 World Series Champion
Using key cumulative team statistics such as winning percentage, runs scored, batting average, total extra base hits, earned run average and fielding percentage, Information Builders was able to predict The Los Angeles Dodgers will defeat The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 2009 Fall Classic.

Scioscia far from being an 'Angel'
HE HAS been a menace to us for damn near 30 years now, the thorn in our side, the cloud in our coffee, the bee in our bonnet, the fly in our ointment, the clouds on our sunny day. He has been our nemesis, our arch-enemy, our tormentor, our antagonist and our antagonizer. He inflicts misery for sport. He is a serial baseball sadist. He is Mike Scioscia, from Upper Darby, Pa., by way of Hell.

October 13 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 13.
2002 - The Anaheim Angels score 10 runs in the seventh inning on their way to a 13 - 5 victory over Minnesota to give Anaheim its first American League pennant in the team's history. Adam Kennedy was the hero for Anaheim with three home runs and seven RBI. Scott Spiezio hit a home run for the Angels, with Francisco Rodriguez getting the win in relief.

Poll

The Angels were unable to sign free agent C.C. Sabathia after last season...

Damn, we could have used him.

85 votes

So what, we won without him.

451 votes

536 votes | Poll has closed

Yankees Batters vs. Angels Pitchers

Rev Halofan — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:45:49 -0000

Here is a brief, almost random rundown on some matchups that the Angels are best left to closely examine before they face the Yankees on Friday night for game 1 of the ALCS. As my Yankee-loving friend Roy Grillo said the other day on Facebook: We guarantee that Alfonso Soriano doesn't take the field in this series.

Hideki Matsui versus:

Joe Saunders: 1 for 1, 1 HR

Jason Bulger: 1 for 2, 1 HR

Godzilla can bang Lefties and Righties.

Derek Jeter versus:

Ervin Santana: 10 for 23, 2 HR

Joe Saunders: 7 for 15, 1 HR

John Lackey: 15 for 44, 1 HR

~~Probably~~ Definitely more annoying to opposing pitchers than Figgins has been lately...

Alex Rodriguez versus:

Jered Weaver: 5 for 15, 4 HR

Joe Saunders: 7 for 14, 2 HR

Brian Fuentes: 1 for 2, 1 HR

Jason Bulger: 1 for 1, 1 HR

Probably want to avoid throwing fastballs down the middle or hanging a curveball on a tee.

Poll

Angels Starters for ALCS Games 1 and 2

Lackey and Weaver

172 votes

Lackey and Kazmir, Weaver pitches best at home

266 votes

Kazmir and Saunders, Lefties have an edge in Yankee Stadium

41 votes

Palmer and Quinlan. Dude, nobody will have scouted them, Shhhh.

59 votes

538 votes | Poll has closed

Yankees vs. Angels ALCS Preview

Eli Greenspan — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:47:42 -0000

More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP

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In the three previous ALDS showdowns, the Red Sox dominated the Angels to a record of 10-1. Two of those seasons, 2004 and 2007, the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. This season, the Angels were ready to change things up.

After impressive performances from John Lackey and Jered Weaver, the pitching looks to be getting hot at the right time. Timely hitting from Vladimir Guerrero and Erik Aybar, along with consistent at-bats from Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter, Angels fans are starting to believe that this could the year.

The Yankees returned to the postseason after a brief hiatus, halting the Twins' impressive streak to end their season. The Yankees outscored the Twins 15-6 behind solid outings from CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Andy Pettitte. The Yankees kept Joba Chamberlain in the bullpen for the ALDS, but will need at least a fourth starter for the ALCS. Whether it is Chamberlain or Chad Gaudin, there is even more pressure on Sabathia and Burnett to get the Yankees out in front in the series.

The Angels have the Yankees' number in the postseason, knocking the Yankees out in 2002 and 2005. They split the season series this year, but it is clear that the Angels have more depth in their rotation than the Yankees.

The Yankees paced the league with 915 runs scored, but the Angels were right there with 883. The lineups from top to bottom are solid, but it is key that the Angels don't let Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez hurt them. The Yankees would be smart to avoid Guerrero, who stepped up in the ALDS after a strong second-half.

Both bullpen's are solid, and both teams are motivated beyond just winning a World Series. The Angels came together this season after the tragic death of rookie pitcher Nick Adenhart, sporting his number on their jersey all season and even celebrating at his picture on the outfield wall after they clinched. The Yankees opened their new season and powered their way back to the top of the AL East, posting the best record in baseball. Young manager Joe Girardi will face up against veteran manager Mike Scoscia, who is considered one of the best managers in all of baseball.

Nearly a week away, this already has the makings of an epic series. In the end, it seems like it always comes down to who has the best pitching. My prediction: Angels in six.

We'll get a sense of that soon enough, but for now, I want to hear what you guys think?

Poll

Who is going to win the ALCS?

Yankees in seven

163 votes

Angels in seven

128 votes

Yankees in 4-5

200 votes

Angels in 4-5

124 votes

615 votes | Poll has closed

Dream Weaver Makes It 2 - 0: Saturday Halolinks

WiHaloFan — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 14:54:07 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

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Angels dominate wall to wall for 2-0 series lead -- latimes.com
Jered Weaver threw 7 1/3 brilliant innings, giving up one run and two hits. A pair of gnats, 5-foot-8, 170-pound Maicer Izturis and 5-10, 170-pound Erick Aybar, delivered a pair of humongous hits. The bullpen, a soft spot for a good chunk of the season, held firm.

Angels thump Red Sox, take huge series lead - OCRegister.com
"Game tied, 1-1, I knew he was going to be very careful with the way he pitched to me," Guerrero said. "Those breaking balls he threw me off the plate, I knew I could not open my (strike) zone too much. "That has been his pattern against me in the past and he did it again tonight. … I wasn’t looking for a walk but I knew the situation in the game – it called for me to get on base."

Weaver throws strong as Angels down BoSox in Game 2 - CBSSports.com
Weaver was comprehensively better than Beckett in just his second career postseason start. He allowed just four Boston baserunners and struck out seven while matching Lackey's 7 1/3 innings in Los Angeles' streak-snapping shutout victory in Game 1. "We want it," Angels outfielder Torii Hunter said. "I mean, I can't say we want it more than those guys, but we definitely want it. I'm pretty sure they want it, too. It's just not working out for them. We've just got to keep putting the pressure on them and stay hungry. You've got to kick somebody when they're down, and that's what we're doing."

Team Reports - CBSSports.com
Rather than travel immediately after Friday's game or early Saturday morning, the Angels elected to work out briefly in Anaheim on Saturday morning then travel to Boston. Manager Mike Scioscia said the adjustment was made because the Angels worked out late at night in Boston on the day before Game 3 last year. This year's travel decision was compounded by the early start time for Game 3 -- noon EDT Sunday in Boston.

Video highlights from last night's game:

MLB Tonight on Weaver's strong start - MLB.com
MLB Tonight breaks down Jered Weaver's excellent start in Game 2 of the ALDS against the Red Sox

Aybar plates two on triple in seventh - MLB.com
Erick Aybar skies a triple over Jacoby Ellsbury's head, plating two runs to push the Halos to a 4-1 lead in the seventh

MLB.com looks at Angels' rally - MLB.com
Jim Duquette breaks down how the Angels used team speed to score three runs in the seventh inning to take a 2-0 ALDS lead

Izturis, Aybar discuss the Angels winning Game 2 - MLB.com
Maicer Izturis and Erick Aybar discuss the Angels big win over the Red Sox in Game 2 of the 2009 ALDS

Weaver's gem puts Angels in control - angelsbaseball.com
Outdueling Josh Beckett in a 4-1 triumph on Friday night, Jered Weaver pitched brilliantly in his second career postseason start, and the Angels manufactured a three-run seventh inning to move one win away from the American League Championship Series -- and leave the Red Sox on the precipice.

Angels stay on a roll in role reversal - Yahoo! Sports
So they move the whole thing to Fenway Park, for brunch on Sunday, the Angels – and not the Red Sox – running downhill, feeling like this might work, in fact almost sure of it.

Halos pushing all the right buttons - MLB.com
Every aspect of the Angels' game has been on in this American League Division Series. The starting pitching has been superb, the hitting has been timely, the defense has made the necessary plays regardless of difficulty, the baserunning has been every bit as aggressive and effective as usual. These were the Angels, from their own perspective, the way they ought to be. It was very impressive for the rest of us and very gratifying for the Angels themselves.

With 2-0 lead, Angels have Red Sox on the run - Stan McNeal - Sporting News
Though Guerrero's hit looked like a hit-and-run, Angels manager Mike Scioscia said it was a run-and-hit. Guerrero didn't have to swing. "Sometimes a run-and-hit looks like a perfect hit-and-run," Scioscia said. "My intention was to swing the bat and it happened to go to right field," Guerrero said. He was being a bit modest, according to Angels hitting coach Mickey Hatcher. "I was kidding him and said, 'Was that your first hit-and-run?'. He goes, 'What are you talking about?'" Hatcher said. "Really, I've seen him probably 50 times that when he's hitting and he sees a runner go, he hits a ground ball that way. He just does it. He knows how to get that direction."

Angels strike the right chord with precision -- latimes.com
It seems fairly clear now that the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, who have been off-key so often in recent postseason play, are now producing sweet music.

Bobby Abreu: 'I don't want to go nowhere else' | Angels Unplugged | Los Angeles Times
"I want to come back. I don't want to go nowhere else. I want to stay with the Angels."

The feeling's mutual.

Umpires' foul play spoiling exciting postseason - Jon Heyman - SI.com
Some of the Twins contingent were apoplectic about umpire Phil Cuzzi's blown call in left field which deprived Joe Mauer of a ground-rule double in the 11th inning. Mauer's fly ball into the corner ticked Melky Cabrera's glove while he was still in fair territory, then landed a few inches inside the line before bouncing over the wall. But Cuzzi incorrectly ruled it foul, and while Mauer singled, the Twins failed to score in that half inning before the Yankees sent them home a 4-3 loser in Game 2 on Mark Teixiera's walk-off homer.

MLB Postseason Clubs Make Extra $$$, But How Much Depends - Biz of Baseball
With the 2009 postseason getting underway, interest in the added revenues that each of the teams that advanced could garner increases. Today, two stories reference research published earlier this year that looked at the added average gate revenue clubs make when making the postseason.

October 10 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 10.
1982 - The Milwaukee Brewers complete their comeback from a 2-0 ALCS deficit by edging the California Angels 4 - 3 to earn their first-ever trip to the World Series. Angels outfielder Fred Lynn bats .611 for the Series and is named MVP in a losing cause.
2005 - Rookie Ervin Santana pitched 5 1/3 strong innings in his postseason debut, Garret Anderson hit a home run and drove in two runs, and Adam Kennedy hit a go-ahead two-run triple, to lead the Angels over New York, 5 - 3, in the decisive Game 5 of their AL playoff series.

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Somehow, Red Sox Offense Even Worse in Game Two Loss

Randy Booth — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 05:01:34 -0000

More photos » by Chris Carlson - AP

2 months ago: Home plate umpire CB Bucknor and Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Josh Beckett have a discussion between innings during Game 2 of the American League division baseball series Friday, Oct. 9, 2009 in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

Browse more photos »

I was thinking to myself this morning: "As bad as the Sox were last night in game one, it's impossible for them to be even worse."

Wrong.

The Red Sox's offense was even worse than game one (despite one run), losing to the Angels 4-1 on Friday night.

Where the hell has the offense gone? No. Don't laugh. I'm serious.

The Sox had four hits again for the second night in a row. The only run they scored was off a Jacoby Ellsbury triple. Victor Martinez knocked him in in the fourth inning to take the lead, but after that ... nothing.

Jered Weaver looked like Tom Seaver. He really didn't struggle at all with the Red Sox lineup. And why should he? The Sox are playing like a junior high squad at this point. It doesn't matter who the Angels throw out there, because in two games so far, everyone has handled the Sox without a problem.

Josh Beckett was pretty good until the 7th inning. He gave up some loud outs, but he got the job done. Then the 7th inning came around and he just unraveled. He couldn't hit the strikezone if he was 30-feet, 3 inches away from the plate. It's funny how he lost it, considering he hadn't walked a batter through the first three innings.

But runs, runs, runs. Bill Wagner came in (a little too late) and got out of the inning, but the damage had been done.

The Red Sox offense tried to get something started in the 9th, but nope. Kevin Youkilis doubled and Jason Bay walked, but they were stranded.

There it is: 4-1 Angels and they're up 2-0 in the series. All because of really, really bad offense. Jon Lester and Josh Beckett weren't even that bad. They weren't amazing, but their performances should have been good enough with just an average Red Sox offense. Instead, it goes in the books as two losses.

I never called game two a must win. It would have been nice to win, but it's not impossible to come back from a 0-2 hole. Actually, only four teams have ever come back down 0-2 to win a series. Two of those you might remember.

In 1999, the Red Sox did it. In 2003, the Red Sox did it. Can the Red Sox do it 2009, too?

Sure. Why the hell not?