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2011 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

Posted by on 31 March 2011, 4:23 am

Since the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim lost the 2009 ALCS to the New York Yankees, the ball-club has not been the one baseball fans were accustomed too.

Two sluggish off-seasons, sandwiching a missing 2010 post-season, which had only happened once before in the previous seven seasons, is not being taken lightly out in Los Angeles.

So, can the Angels take back the division they have owned for years? Or is the AL West heading into the post-Angels era?

Let’s take a look at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim heading into the 2011 season.

Positives:

From the moment 1B Kendry Morales jumped in celebration with his teammates to celebrate his walk-off homerun, things took a turn for the worst in Los Angeles. Morales spent the rest of 2010 on the DL with a broken leg and his absence showed how vital he was to the team’s success.

Morales is finally back. Maybe not at 100% yet, but Morales’ presence alone and at the plate is something that the Angels have clearly been missing.

The only move worthy of Halo headlines was trading catcher Mike Napoli, who happen to led the team in home-runs last year with 26. Napoli was sent to the Blue Jays for outfielder Vernon Wells. Wells had 31 home-runs, 44 doubles, 88 RBIs with a .273 batting average. Those are the numbers that made the Angels trade for Wells. I think he will have a great season, revived by a new city that actually likes baseball and a stadium where fans come to games.

The clear strength of the Angels is their starting rotation, as it is solid from one to five. The top trio led by ace Jered Weaver who in 2010 followed right behind King Felix’s 30 quality starts with 27, led the AL in strikeouts with 233, and posted the fifth best ERA with 3.01 over a total just shy of 225 innings pitched.

Weaver is followed by another ace in Dan Haran, who the Angels picked up in July of 2010. Haran struggled at first, but the stats over his first nine starts are not totally trustworthy because he got no run support. Haran last eight outings were terrific going 4-0, over eight starts, posting a whopping 1.70 ERA. That is the Haran, the All-Star ace that the Angels were looking for. Now the Halos have Haran for an entire season now.

The Angels #3 is Ervin Santana won 17 games in 2010, posting a 3.92 ERA and is another innings eater throwing for 222 in total. Santana is trailed by a solid Joel Pineiro and the only uncertainty is Scott Kazmir but the top four are so good that Kazmir just has to get by without imploding.

Negatives:

Bullpen additions Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi make this bullpen legit, which is a staple of all successful Scioscia teams. The problem is the Halos don’t have a closer and this tends to present a problem no matter the team. Scioscia is a known magician, as he is one of the best managers in the game and this might be his biggest test yet. Continue reading ‘2011 MLB Team Preview: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim’ »

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2011 MLB Team Preview: Oakland Athletics

Posted by on 28 March 2011, 5:43 am

The Oakland Athletics (A’s) biggest headline last season was when New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez took a jog over the pitching mound at The Coliseum on his way back to the visitor’s dugout, and SP Dallas Braden through a temper tantrum.

The A’s finished up the 2010 season at 81-81, a vast improvement from seasons prior but finishing second in the AL West was not as much earned, as it was lost when the Angels got injured.

So, where does that leave the A’s heading into 2011, let’s take a look.

The Positives:

Pitching, pitching and more pitching as the A’s have possibly the most talented group of youngsters across baseball. Finishing with a 3.56 ERA, an AL best and making 103 Quality Starts, which was the most in baseball in 2010.

This season the A’s are banking on the continued maturity of the righty Trevor Cahill, who is now 23-years old and in 2010 was one of the best pitchers in the AL. Cahill won 18 games, posting a 2.97 ERA over 30 starts. The rotation will be led by Cahill, who went 18-8 with a 2.97 ERA and was named to the All-Star Team in 2010.

Then there is 25-year-old, lefty Gio Gonzalez also made strides in 2010, posting a 15-9 record, with a 3.23 ERA but the 92 walks needs to improve. Gonzalez needs to learn when to throw what pitch, as well as get better control to lower the amount of walks.

The A’s most promising rookie is 22-year-old, lefty Brett Anderson, who has a 95+ fastball and has command well beyond his years. Anderson pounds the plate and throws for strikes, featuring a slider, change-up and curveball. In 2010 Anderson was sidelined twice with elbow soreness, which limited him to 19 starts. This kid has the biggest future, if he keeps maturing like this.

The third lefty, Braden, the newly acquired Brandon McCarthy and Rich Harden will fill the back-end spots. Harden is not unfamiliar with the A’s, as his last stint with Oakland dates back to 2008, where he made 13 starts, posting a 2.34 ERA, with a record of 5-1,

This is a very talented and young rotation, which is clearly the strength of this A’s ball-club.

There are not many teams featuring three lefty arms on the brink of becoming top of the rotation pitchers. I still think the A’s staff is working out their kinks and figuring out how to be the most effective on the mound.

This is not a “will it happen” situation, but a “when it happens.”

The Negatives:

The great pitching happens to be paired with one of the worst line-ups in baseball.

The A’s management seems so occupied with getting a new stadium built that they made no significant moves in the off-season that will bring a consistent pop to the batting order.

They traded away the speed of Rajai Davis to the Blue Jays for two prospect relievers. Davis stole 41+ bases in each of the last two seasons.

They picked up injured Nationals Josh Willington for two young prospects. In 2010 Willington played in 114 games, posting a .268 batting average, hitting 16 home runs, 56 RBI’s, and had eight stolen bases. He missed the last six weeks with a knee injury, but has played without any problems this spring and is hoping to put up some numbers in Oakland. Just have to wait and see.

Another pick-up the injured outfielder David DeJesus who only contributed in 91 games last year with the Royals. They also snagged the aging great Hideki Matsui as the team’s DH, which is worrisome considering Matsui’s age, injury history and the expectations the A’s are hoping Matsui can bring. Continue reading ‘2011 MLB Team Preview: Oakland Athletics’ »

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2011 MLB: A Cliff Lee Story And A Walk That’s Going To Cost

Posted by on 3 November 2010, 11:28 am

Texas Rangers ace Cliff Lee had been as close to superhuman as the baseball world had ever seen heading into the 2010 World Series with a 7-0 record.

MLB players and fans all around the world were in awe of Lee, and the fact that he was fair game after the conclusion of the World Series just added to the dynamic fascination.

With every postseason start, Lee’s worth was climbing at rapid speeds. GM’s were drooling for the second post season in a row watching Lee’s domination batter after batter. From Yankees to Phillies to Rays, no one was safe.

Hence, this World Series was the last stage before the battle for Lee could start. On the path Lee had been on, nothing seemed too grand except the zeros on his contract that were becoming endless.

As Game 1 began, fans watched in utter disbelief, and what nobody thought could ever happen…did. The great Cliff Lee lost. It was so ugly he was pulled in the fourth inning, after giving up six earned runs and only striking out seven.

Lee did not just lose once, but again in Game 5 on the biggest stage in baseball.

Lee’s first loss in Game 1 of the World Series could have easily been forgotten, brushed off as a bad day that is beyond acceptable.

Many are claiming Lee’s Game 5 loss cost the Texas Rangers the World Series.

Why?

Due to an avoidable and selfish choice made by Lee to stick to his motto of “I don’t walk any batters,” that lead to the only hit, a three-run bomb, needed by the Giants to win the World Series.

Should the Yankees be more concerned about Lee’s stubborn attitude than his choking under pressure?

The Rangers needed Lee more than ever to be perfect, and he blew it on one bad pitch. It happens all the time during the season, but this was the World Series and all the Rangers dreams were what were at stake.

It is a fact that Rangers catcher Bengie Molina wanted Lee to walk the hitter and was confused when Lee did the contrary. Considering it was the eighth inning of the World Series and Texas were down 3-1 in games. The Rangers were playing with backs shoved against the wall—with no breathing room in site.

Why would you risk this game with no score on the board for either team?

Did Lee need to prove he could strike out anyone in baseball? Lee had been flawless, but that became untrue five days prior. so why test the waters in Game 5?

Who knows.

Lee did make a grave mistake that will inevitably cost him, either less years or less money. No doubt, Lee exposed a risk that played a major factor in the Rangers World Series loss and the Giants win.

That is two postseasons in a row that Lee wins but the uniform he is wearing doesn’t. Now that has even taken a turn for the worst as both Lee and the team lost in the end this time, which makes you wonder if things are just going to get worse from here.

Questions about Cliff Lee’s worth have arisen—whether he’s too much of a risk or if he can ultimately be a teammate that can help win a title.

Truth remains that Cliff Lee is not just a show pony, the man is as talented as I have yet witnessed as a fan. Lee’s last two starts surely didn’t help his cause, but it did bring him down to earth and nothing wrong with a little humbling.

For now, fans will wait because only time will tell where Cliff Lee will bring his talents next season.

With the Lee bidding about to begin…fans should get ready for some good old baseball offseason drama.

One that I’m hoping ends with Lee’s left arm in pinstripes.

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World Series Game 1: New York Yankees Fans Will Be Watching Lee vs. Lincecum

Posted by on 26 October 2010, 12:27 am

Just in case you didn’t know, a 2009 World Series rematch between the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies is not happening.

To many baseball fans surprise, both powerhouse ball-clubs lost in the Championship Series. Some might say the Phillies and Yankees lacked the heart, as making the postseason is basically part of the regular schedules.

Regardless of the reason, a loss is a loss no matter how it happened, who was injured, why so many players were slumping or if a team had too many days off.

So now the 2010 World Series starts on Wednesday in San Francisco, CA.

The city’s Giants will host the Texas Rangers for the first two games of a seven-game battle where only one team will leave as champions. The other team will leave with nothing, as nobody gets introduced as the “team that lost in the 2010 World Series.”


Will I watch the 2010 World Series?

Yes, but not if something better is on or I go out. Also, I am a huge baseball fan so whether I watch or not doesn’t speak for much of the norm.

The best matchup of the series and only one other teams fans might watch is on Wednesday night. Game 1 features the Rangers’ Cliff Lee vs. the Giants’ Timmy Lincecum, who are both legitimate Cy Young-winning pitchers.


Why will New York Yankees fans watch Game 1 of the 2010 World Series?

Cliff Lee is a free agent after the World Series ends and all of baseball is drooling just at the thought of acquiring Lee.  Yankees Universe wants him, CC Sabathia is his buddy and fans will get excited with the realization that they get what they want.


Who do I predict to win in this battle on the mound?

Picking a winner between Lee and Lincecum is a toss-up because if both are throwing heat, which has been the trend it could fall either way. Since Texas and San Francisco barely face each other in the regular season, if ever makes both the pitchers become even more devastating.

If this winds up being the case, my guess is Cliff Lee would win. The Rangers are better hitters than the Giants. Also, Lee has been in the postseason before, pitching for both an AL and NL team.

To be more specific Texas has Josh Hamilton in their lineup, and a hot-hitting Hamilton is lethal no matter who is pitching. The guy is a machine and was just crowned the ALCS MVP. Imagine where Hamilton would be if he didn’t do all those drugs, because it doesn’t seem possible to be any better.

Lincecum is six-plus years younger than Lee. It is only Lincecum’s fourth season as a professional, and this is his first postseason ever. Also called the Freak, Lincecum has been dominating in the playoffs thus far, striking out 14 in the NLDS.

Mind you, Big Time Timmy Jim has won two Cy Young awards in his first three seasons. As many claim Lincecum is the best pitcher of the last two seasons without question.

What I have noticed watching this postseason is hitters make contact with Lincecum, but not with Lee. Lee shutdown the two best hitting teams in baseball, Tampa Bay Rays and New York Yankees so the Giants will presumably be no threat.

The World Series is a different monster, as it’s one of the biggest stages in all of sports. It’s a stage that Cliff Lee seems to be nothing but flawless on, and I don’t see that changing on Wednesday night in Game one.


Who Do I Predict Will Win Game 1?

Texas Rangers win 3-1, and Cliff Lee gets the win, one RBI and a home run (kidding about the home-run, but you never know with this guy).

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New York Yankees: Six Days Off ‘Til ALCS Against Texas Rangers or Tampa Bay Rays

Posted by on 11 October 2010, 10:13 am

The New York Yankees are on their way to another ALCS after sweeping the Minnesota Twins for the second postseason in a row.

Phil Hughes, in his first postseason start, pitched a gem on Saturday night, going seven solid innings and allowing no runs to score. It was a real boost for the team going forward.

It provided a sigh of relief for skipper Joe Girardi, as his team looks to be a force to be reckoned with once again. It’s about time for Yankee fans to cut Girardi some slack, as he has earned our trust once again.

Next up for the Yankees is the ALCS, but the opponent is to be decided between the Tampa Bay Rays or Texas Rangers. The Rangers went into Game 3 leading 2-0 in the ALDS against a seemingly dead Rays ball club.

The Rangers had five outs remaining to move onward, but the Rays got their much-needed swagger back and beat the Rangers 6-3.

The Rays did it again Sunday afternoon, tying the series at 2-2 and forcing the Rangers to play Game 5 back at Tropicana Field on Tuesday night.

The winner of this ALDS will host the Yankees on Friday evening in Game 1 of the ALCS.

Who would the Yankees rather face?

Neither the Rays nor the Rangers are going to make like easier for New York.

The Rays match up with the Yankees head-to-head better than the Rangers.

The Rangers have ace Cliff Lee, who has slaughtered the Yankees in four different uniforms and twice in the 2009 World Series. Even with losing Game 1 and 5 in 2009, the Yankees still won the World Series against the Phillies. Lee finished the regular season with a 3.18 ERA and 195 strikeouts.

The Rangers’ second starter is CJ Wilson, who is becoming a mini-Cliff Lee. If Wilson shuts down the Yankee, that is two games lost before the Yankees even get back to the Bronx. Wilson has held the Yankees hitters to a .248 average over his career. Continue reading ‘New York Yankees: Six Days Off ‘Til ALCS Against Texas Rangers or Tampa Bay Rays’ »

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Underestimating Underdogs: New York Yankees Beat Minnesota Twins Again

Posted by on 8 October 2010, 2:55 am

Before the start of the 2010 ALDS, the state of the New York Yankees went as follows:

Fact…. the New York Yankees are looking old.

Fact…. the Yankees played awful baseball in September. Finishing the month with a 12-15 record and playing under .500 baseball for the first time since April 2008. They lost 7 of they’re last 10 games.

Fact…. the Yankees starting pitching was in shambles at end of regular season, while the hitters were becoming pros at stranding runners on base.

Fact…. the majority of sports media deemed the Yankees the underdogs, while predicting that losing would be they’re ultimate fate.

All of the above are legitimate statements. Both haters and lifelong fans pounce on any weakness displayed by the Bombers, myself included

Coming in, as the Wild Card team is not the usual entrance the Yankees make into the postseason.

Thanks to ESPN for repeatedly reminding viewers that the franchise has never made it past the ALDS as the wild card team. That stat is spanning over so many decades it started sounding desperate.

Still, some day’s it seems like Yankees fans hate losing more then the Yankees themselves. Rest assured the players like the over-criticism from their beloved fans. It is the only way the players would have it.

As far as the ALDS, so far so good for the Yankees, who head to the Bronx with a 2-0 lead against the Minnesota Twins.

Each win answered some very big questions looming all around in Yankee Universe.

With so many unknowns, Game one was a must win for New York because the team’s only proven ace CC Sabathia was on the mound. If the Yankees lost with Sabathia pitching things could have gotten ugly.

Well, the Yankees got the win on Wednesday night in Minnesota, and Sabathia wasn’t even at his sharpest.

So how did the team manage the win?

As a whole, the team played all around solid baseball, and that will always win in October.

Anyone who was afraid that Andy Pettitte forgot how to pitch, you are not worried any longer.

Pettitte pitched great, as he always does in the postseason. Both his off-speed and breaking ball pitches were on target, like he had not missed a beat.  Everyone discounted Pettitte’s exceptional career and experience way to fast, which will never happen again.

Everyone knows the ALDS is not even close to finished yet. Yankees fans are hoping that Mariano Rivera will get that final over the weekend, but until than thinking any further than Saturday would be absurd.

All eight postseason teams are first-rate, have talent beyond comprehension, and each well deserves and rightly earned to play in October.

One thing I continually re-learn during each postseason, is that critiquing October baseball continually reminds us that a team’s future is not in the past.

There are no excuses in this postseason that is for sure.

“Don’t talk to me about aesthetics or tradition. Talk to me about what sells and what’s good right now. And what the American people like is to think the underdog still has a chance.”

-George Steinbrenner, “the Boss”

Related articles
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  • MLB Playoff Predictions: Can Andy Pettitte Save Yankees’ Postseason Pitching? (ladylovespinstripes.com)
  • ESPN Reminds New York Yankees How to Bomb in the Postseason (ladylovespinstripes.com)
  • New York Yankees-Minnesota Twins ALDS Series Breakdown, Part 2 (ladylovespinstripes.com)
  • New York Yankees-Minnesota Twins: ALDS Series Breakdown, Part Three (ladylovespinstripes.com)

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MLB Blogger Rankings–Week 25

Posted by on 30 September 2010, 1:45 am
Here are the latest MLB Rankings – Week 25.
Come check out where your team ranks for the week….agree or disagree?

Click HERE to see what real fans think.
Lady Loves Pinstripes is one of six bloggers voting on Yardbarker’s Gillette Fusion MLB Rankings. Each week Lady Loves Pinstripes will rank all 30 MLB teams, along with the other five bloggers. All bloggers rankings are averaged together for each weekly result. In addition, Lady Loves Pinstripes will comment on he AL WEST.
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