Friday, May 06, 2005
The Road Didn't Hit Back
Yes, the Yankees are tanking and Seattle has been anything but impressive for the first month of the season, but the Angels pitched their way to a 6-3 road trip that included two teams many thought of as World Series contenders this spring and the other was a vogue pick for Most Improved Team. What's encouraging (and discouraging) is that the Angels didn't score more than 5 runs in a game the entire trip. The bullpen is just (smile) fan-tastic, and it looks like Anderson and Finley are beginning to show a little more power to compliment Vlad. After A-Rod's Manwich-sized performance against Colon on 4/26, the starters posted a 1.96 ERA the rest of the trip. We'll go Around the Rotation in a bit, but first let's looks and Mending Wings and the return of the 2002 ALCS MVP.
Adam Kennedy
Well, he's back. I'm not sure how many marginal fantasy owners even knew he was gone, but now he's back. And Figgins owners are worried--and maybe they should be. Showing you how much I know, I mentioned earlier that AK wouldn't be the everyday 2B upon his return, but lo and behold, he's started his first 3 games back and Scioscia says "Adam is going to play second base", according to the team's website. He also indicated that Figgins will play regularly--and he only sat 1 of the 3 games, so it appears that DaVanon's PT will suffer the most. Looks like AL owners will have to look elsewhere. Kennedy looks healthy so far despite only being 2-12. He's swiped a bag already but fanned 3 times. Remember he's a career .277 hitter and that's probably a high end.
Mending Wings: Bench is Bunked
Lou Merloni's ankle injury has him out for probably the rest of '05 and greatly disappointed 0.9% of AL owners. The LA Daily News still has Macier Izturis about 3 weeks out and Josh Paul got his thumb whacked by a Wilson Valdez throw trying to break up a double play. Sure, these are marginal players (at best), but it means top catching prospect Jeff Mathis could get the call (though he's battling a thigh bruise). It also means that Figgins owners have less to worry about in regard to Scioscia trying to get the warmers some PT--he'll be leaning heavily on the regulars for the immediate future. Bengie Molina should be back next week, as the Press Enterprise reports that his recovery is past the "embryonic stage" (I think the intrepid reporter was trying to impress his editor).
Around the Rotation
Bartolo Colon's ankle should be okay after twisting it jumping for a chopper in his last start. Eye it, but he's probably 100%. Jarrod Washburn experienced his first back spasms of the season the day after his start on Monday, says the LA Times. Watch him too, but again, he's most likely OK. John Lackey looked solid against Seattle Tuesday. I'd say if he keeps the walks down like that, you'll see him start to put it together. His overall ERA is 4.73, but it's 1.59 in his last 3 starts. He's still cake to get in mixed leagues and even only 96% in AL leagues. If you're an AL owner looking for pitching, you should own him. Kelvim Escobar has 14 K in 13 IP--do the math. He's owned, but it would still be relatively easy to snatch him for a bigger "name" (think Mike Mussina).
Angels Are Flying
This really isn't a surprise, but the Halos lead the AL in stolen bases and stolen base attempts. Mike Scioscia has averaged 172 SB attempts a season over his first 5 years with the skipper's cap. Between that and having weapons like Figgins, Erstad, DaVanon, and even Vlad and Finley, you can be sure that his 35 attempts thus far will be followed by a whole lot more. Even slugger Dallas McPherson has attempted to swipe a bag three times. Of course, that does mean that the Angels may run themselves out of a few runs--as they did this past week getting 3 outs on the basepaths in one game--but they'll also manufacture some extra runs that a more passive style wouldn't allow. Remember that when considering acquiring a Halo hitter with marginal or good speed.
Fun With the Abacus
Much has been made (myself included) that this Angel team, just like 2004, is lacking in home run power. It appears that's misleading. The Halos don't fall in the bottom of the AL as far as AB/HR is concerned. They're 8th. That's not bad. It's not like they're just hitting singles either. Only TEX, BOS, and BAL (all very good lineups) have more extra base hits. They also avoid the rally killer. Only KC has hit into fewer double plays--and that's mostly because they don't get many baserunners on to double off in the first place. The Halos have only had 9 ABs in '05 with the bases juiced. They're 2-9--both hits singles. Finally, here's more proof that Dallas McPherson needs time to adjust to the major league level, especially mentally. From the 7th inning on, he's 0-13 with 8 Ks.
On Deck
I am very interested to see these Detroit Tigers close up. Angels fans will get the chance in a 3 game series beginning Friday night. They'll also see Tiger ace Jeremy Bonderman. He's solid and he'll square off against Colon. Both pitchers are 4-2 and, boy, should that Saturday night matchup at the Big A be outstanding. No reason to sit anyone in particular, and AL owners should know that there's a good change Juan Rivera will see some time this weekend. The bad news is that with Bonderman and Mike Maroth with Detroit and C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee of Cleveland, the Halos will see some pitchers that either are pitching well or could turn it around at any start. After that strong road trip, though, the home field should give them a big lift. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
Adam Kennedy
Well, he's back. I'm not sure how many marginal fantasy owners even knew he was gone, but now he's back. And Figgins owners are worried--and maybe they should be. Showing you how much I know, I mentioned earlier that AK wouldn't be the everyday 2B upon his return, but lo and behold, he's started his first 3 games back and Scioscia says "Adam is going to play second base", according to the team's website. He also indicated that Figgins will play regularly--and he only sat 1 of the 3 games, so it appears that DaVanon's PT will suffer the most. Looks like AL owners will have to look elsewhere. Kennedy looks healthy so far despite only being 2-12. He's swiped a bag already but fanned 3 times. Remember he's a career .277 hitter and that's probably a high end.
Mending Wings: Bench is Bunked
Lou Merloni's ankle injury has him out for probably the rest of '05 and greatly disappointed 0.9% of AL owners. The LA Daily News still has Macier Izturis about 3 weeks out and Josh Paul got his thumb whacked by a Wilson Valdez throw trying to break up a double play. Sure, these are marginal players (at best), but it means top catching prospect Jeff Mathis could get the call (though he's battling a thigh bruise). It also means that Figgins owners have less to worry about in regard to Scioscia trying to get the warmers some PT--he'll be leaning heavily on the regulars for the immediate future. Bengie Molina should be back next week, as the Press Enterprise reports that his recovery is past the "embryonic stage" (I think the intrepid reporter was trying to impress his editor).
Around the Rotation
Bartolo Colon's ankle should be okay after twisting it jumping for a chopper in his last start. Eye it, but he's probably 100%. Jarrod Washburn experienced his first back spasms of the season the day after his start on Monday, says the LA Times. Watch him too, but again, he's most likely OK. John Lackey looked solid against Seattle Tuesday. I'd say if he keeps the walks down like that, you'll see him start to put it together. His overall ERA is 4.73, but it's 1.59 in his last 3 starts. He's still cake to get in mixed leagues and even only 96% in AL leagues. If you're an AL owner looking for pitching, you should own him. Kelvim Escobar has 14 K in 13 IP--do the math. He's owned, but it would still be relatively easy to snatch him for a bigger "name" (think Mike Mussina).
Angels Are Flying
This really isn't a surprise, but the Halos lead the AL in stolen bases and stolen base attempts. Mike Scioscia has averaged 172 SB attempts a season over his first 5 years with the skipper's cap. Between that and having weapons like Figgins, Erstad, DaVanon, and even Vlad and Finley, you can be sure that his 35 attempts thus far will be followed by a whole lot more. Even slugger Dallas McPherson has attempted to swipe a bag three times. Of course, that does mean that the Angels may run themselves out of a few runs--as they did this past week getting 3 outs on the basepaths in one game--but they'll also manufacture some extra runs that a more passive style wouldn't allow. Remember that when considering acquiring a Halo hitter with marginal or good speed.
Fun With the Abacus
Much has been made (myself included) that this Angel team, just like 2004, is lacking in home run power. It appears that's misleading. The Halos don't fall in the bottom of the AL as far as AB/HR is concerned. They're 8th. That's not bad. It's not like they're just hitting singles either. Only TEX, BOS, and BAL (all very good lineups) have more extra base hits. They also avoid the rally killer. Only KC has hit into fewer double plays--and that's mostly because they don't get many baserunners on to double off in the first place. The Halos have only had 9 ABs in '05 with the bases juiced. They're 2-9--both hits singles. Finally, here's more proof that Dallas McPherson needs time to adjust to the major league level, especially mentally. From the 7th inning on, he's 0-13 with 8 Ks.
On Deck
I am very interested to see these Detroit Tigers close up. Angels fans will get the chance in a 3 game series beginning Friday night. They'll also see Tiger ace Jeremy Bonderman. He's solid and he'll square off against Colon. Both pitchers are 4-2 and, boy, should that Saturday night matchup at the Big A be outstanding. No reason to sit anyone in particular, and AL owners should know that there's a good change Juan Rivera will see some time this weekend. The bad news is that with Bonderman and Mike Maroth with Detroit and C.C. Sabathia and Cliff Lee of Cleveland, the Halos will see some pitchers that either are pitching well or could turn it around at any start. After that strong road trip, though, the home field should give them a big lift. For the Angels, Matt Allen--ESPN.
