Thursday, October 11, 2007

Until Next Year...

Well, it took me awhile to get over the loss, but the Angels really played like crap. Yes, the team suffered from a lot of injuries, but the offense still wasn't there. It felt very similar to 2005 when we had no offense in the series against Chicago.

Quite simply, if Bill Stoneman doesn't pick-up or trade for a power bat to put in the middle of the lineup I don't see how we can compete for a title next season. Sure, we'll win the west with the same team we have now, but if we want to go any further than that Stoneman better get to work.

Thursday, October 4, 2007

Angels Trail After Game 1

So the Angels lost. Really thats all there is to it. We were outplayed, mostly out pitched by Josh Beckett. He was just nasty. I think he retired 19 straight after Figgins lead-off single? I mean, thats incredible considering the magnitude of the game. Overall I'm not that disappointed by the loss. Lackey has been less than spectacular in Boston in his career, even though I think he is a great big game pitcher. Beckett came out and proved that he truly he is the AL Cy Young.

The Angels lost game 1, but they also lost every game 1 in 2002. When you start out on the road, the goal of any visiting team is to split on the road. So if Escobar can pull off a big performance on Friday the Angels will accomplish the split which puts the pressure back on Boston. Coming back to Anaheim 1-1 will force the Red Sox to split in Anaheim just to send it back to Boston for a game 5.

Overall I'm not that disappointed by the loss. Beckett had his A game, and we lost. As a caller on the post game show said, I feel a lot better losing this game the way we did than I would losing how San Diego did in the playoff against Colorado.

The only thing really bothering me about the game is the lack of fight. From the very beginning the Angels were never in the game. It felt like Boston was always hitting with a 3-1 count and the Angels were always hitting with 0-2 counts. I guess thats what happens when Beckett has a game like he did, but I couldn't help but be reminded of the 2005 ALCS against Chicago when the White Sox pitching staff destroyed the Angels.

Friday is a big game. As long as Escobar is healthy, which I think he is, I'm confident he will come up with a big performance that will give the Angels a great shot at winning the game. The offense will have to rebound, which is likely since Beckett won't be on the mound.

Lets go Angels!

I secured myself a ticket to both of the Angels ALDS home games, now lets win the next 3 and clinch the series at home.