To come so far, get so close, and have nothing to show from it. The Angels' season came to a crashing halt tonight as Joe Saunder's subpar performance going just over four innings forced manager Scioscia to call upon the bullpen as early as the fifth inning. Though they took the early lead on a Jeff Mathis double and an Abreu RBI, the Yankees responded shortly after, scoring three and winning the game with a final score of 5-2. Not only was the loss due to a lack of offense and hitting with runners in scoring position, the Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick and reliever turned starting pitcher Kazmir both made back to back throwing errors to first on bunt plays to score another unearned Yankee run. 

First off, I mus apologize for my lack of posts this season. I have been far too busy lately to keep up with every regular season game, but will try my best to stay up to date in the playoffs.

The Angels proved that their postseason wins against Boston this year are no flukes. In each game they experienced the three different kinds of victories. In game one, John Lackey pitched a gem through 7 and 1/3 innings, shutting out the Red Sox 5-0 with a Torii Hunter three-run homerun. In game two, Jered Weaver also went 7 and 1/3, giving up only one run and winning the game 4-1 over Boston. Today, the Angels were able to come back from a four-run deficit at one point to win 7-6. Across the country, Angel fans can finally say, "The Angels are headed to the ALCS."

Entering the top of the ninth inning, prospects did not look good for the Angels. Although they would still be up one game with a loss, they were down by three runs and facing Boston's star closer Papelbon, who had never given up a playoff run in his career. It seemed as though this streak would continue when the first two batters in Izturis and Matthews both popped out and Aybar had a 0-2 count. But then the tides turned as he singled and Chone Figgins walked. Bobby Abreu came up to the plate and hit a ball off the scoreboard, knocking in an RBI and reaching second on his double. Down by only a run here, Torii Hunter looked to score the tying run, but Boston decided to intentionally load the bases by walking Hunter to get to Vladimir Guerrero. In the past, teams would walk Vlad to get to any other Angel player, but lately his bat had gone cold. Now with two outs and the three game sweep on the line, Guerrero smacked a ball into the outfield and scored both Chone Figgins and Abreu to not only tie the game, but give the Angels their first lead of the ballgame 7-6. With a defensively solid bottom of the ninth by Fuentes to shut down the Boston lineup one-two-three, the Angels reversed their past and secured a spot in the 2009 ALCS for the first time over the Boston Red Sox - a miracle in the eyes of Angel fans everywhere. Not only have the Angels confirmed that they are able to defeat their former rival, but that they are indeed worthy of advancing into the ALCS to play either the New York Yankees or the Minnesota Twins on Friday. Congratulations Angels, and we'll see you in the next round!  

Well, long time no see. It's not great that the first thing back is a negative. But as most Angel fans are very aware, the main focus of this offseason was to improve the offensive factor of their lineup. The player who could do that best was Tex. It seemed as though they had a good opportunity to sign him and therefore secure his name on the firstbase space. Reagins made it clear to us now, however, that Tex is most certainly not signing with the Angels and that instead, he is going to New York with a $180 million contract under his sliders. Whether it was ever his intention to come back to Anaheim is still unclear. He very well may have just been looking to drive up the price as high as possible first. 

The End

 

Throughout the postseason, it seemed as if Scioscia might have been paid off. His decisions regarding the plays put forth by the Angels were unbelievable. But the blame is not all on his shoulders (although that's only because he decided to keep a few players in the series). After a struggling Kendrick failed to hit in the first two games, why would Scioscia keep him in there when he had the option to substitue him with one of the available players on the bench? Even Sean Rodriguez was starting to pick up the pace and most likely would have performed more efficiently. Aybar also had a less than decent postseason, despite getting the deciding hit in Game 3; the only game the Angels managed to win against Boston.

John Lackey yet again did his part. He pitched a good game, only allowing two runs in seven innings vs the tough hitters in the Red Sox lineup. The factor that held the Angels back, however was the defense behind him. They made an uncharacteristically high amount of errors in the series, resulting in missed opportunities and more chances for the Sox to get ahead. The outfield was responsible for the majority of these mistakes and cost the Angels the game.

They got lucky in Game 3. It was a five and a half hour game; one that lasted well into extra innings. Joe Saunders was the starting pitcher in that game, and also did a great job keeping the Angels in it. The offense got a total of 16 hits, and only got 5 runs across, barely out-scoring the Sox with a 5-4 win. Ergo, the sum of the postseason this year can be summed up to two things: faulty managing decisions and missed opoortunities.

However, it would be optimistic to finish this 2008 blog on a plus. After going down 0-2, the Angels had to go to Fenway; the heart of Red Sox Nation; enemy territory. And they pulled out a victory in Game 3. That alone was more than many said was possible, and they did it. The curse is broken; the "monkey is off our back." We weren't swept! This just shows they CAN be beaten and we can bring it to them next year.
Thanks to the Angels for an amazing season. We have a great team, that's for sure. The best in regular season baseball. They made great plays in the field, been a consistent hitters, and provided spirit in the clubhouse. 
Hopefully the GM will make some important decisions over the offseason (regarding Mark Teixiera) and we'll come back rearing to go in 2009.

 

Excitement runs deep. Dissapointment runs deeper. When the Angels lost the game for the 11th time in a row against Boston in the playoffs Friday night, every fan in Southern California felt dejected and betrayed. As Mike Scioscia stated after the loss, "There's no superstition here. They (the Sox) just got in our guys' heads."

One guy that must have really been affected by Boston was Howie Kendrick. Few were surprised when he struck out in the bottom of the 9th; a seemingly apt way to end the game. Kendrick single-handedly stranded 13th men on base and failed to deliver a single hit in the past two lossed vs the Sox. He may have very well beached our playoff opportunities unassisted.

The most rousing plays of the series happened when Chone Figgins hit a lead-off triple in the 8th; the first hit by the starting third baseman and the first extra-base hit for the Angels. Anderson popped up on the infield right after and made way for Teixeira's sac fly. The score had been tied 5-5 and for the first time all night, there was a spark of hope. Pitcher Ervin Santana had a rocky start when he gave up 4 runs in the first, but he managed to keep his team in the game.

Closer Francisco Rodriguez came into the ninth with a tied score and gave up a two-run homerun to JD Drew, the deciding difference that put yet another L in the Angels playoff column. Now the chances are very slim as they have to play the next game in the heart of Red Sox nation; Fenway.

 

 

The series got off to a less than desirable start for the Angels. After nine long innings of play, all their offense managed to accomplish was one unearned run. It seemed to waste a adequate performance by starting pitcher John Lackey. He pitched about seven innings, only yielding two runs on a deep fly in the sixth. The Angel offense just could not deliver in pressure situations. The problem did not lie with getting runners on base. Instead it is solely in the hands of clutch hitting.

The table setters in the halo lineup failed to table-set. Not one of the lead-off batters were able to reach base, a key factor in their 4-1 loss Wednesday night at home vs the champions of last year, the Sox. Chone Figgins, normally very reliable in this field, went 0-5, a rare occurence for the young third baseman. Howie Kendrick also had an off night in a game that has been deemed the most important one of the year so far; ergo a game that should not be an off one for any player. But, as often stated by those of the sport profession, everyone has their nights, or in the case, doesn't.

Now the Angels are forced to play the next home game with the possibilty that it will be their last. Many other critics have been arguing amongst one another, coming to the basic conclusion that if they lose the game on Friday, then you can say goodbye to the ALCS prospect. It is often an unsuccessful attempt put forth by teams down 0-2. To most, this chance declines even further once the fact that the next two deciding games are in Fenway is taken into account. And although the idea that the Angels can come back to win it when they've never beat the Sox in a postseason game may seem inconceivable, personally I believe they have what it takes to do just that. To beat Boston in enemy territory, to ignore the intimidating jeers shouted by Red Sox followers, and to come away from this series a winning team, one that's ready to face a new opponent in the upcoming ALCS.

  

 

 

 

The Angels are the best in the west. Wait, no, the Angels are the best everywhere. For the first time in their history, the team from Southern California finishes with a 100 win season and the best record in all of Major League Baseball. Another element of their vicotory comes in the form of their home vs. away record. It closes at an even 50-31. Although the Angels do not have the best home record, no other team is even within close proximity of their away record.

The year has gone unbelieveably well for the Halos, and it all has to do with the quality of the players. Frankie alone has saved 62 games, more than the Seattle Mariners have won this year. Vladimir Guerrero ends the season with a .303 BA despite what critics had said. Ervin Santana achieves 16-7 on the year, regardless of his shaky last start. What makes the Angels so prominent in baseball is the talent they have invested in their players and of course, the brilliant manager in Mike Scioscia.

Today was the last game of the season for the Angels, at least in the regular season. They managed to avoid a sweep when Saunders and friends took it to them, winning 7-0. After taking an early 5-0 lead, most of the starting players were switched out with the newer rookies. Among them, was Sean Rodriguez, Wood, and Morales. They managed to scrape together two more runs to help get the relievers adaquate run support. Gary Matthews Jr. also had a good day, going 3-4 and scoring two of those 7 runs. The Angels are hoping to pick up where they left off in today's victory when they play the first game of the ALDS on Wednesday. Fortunately, I was able to score some tickets so I will be able to post the pictures up afterwards.

Monday night the renowned Angel event known as Rally Monday will be upon us once again, bringing with it some fantastic giveaways, parachuters, and Smashmouth. Hopefully you will all go out there at 6:30 and show your support for the high-flying Angels!

 

  

The Angels have had quite a memorable week. It's hard to top clinching the AL West for the second year in a row, but now Francisco Rodriguez just might have done it. He saved his 58th game of the season at home Saturday nigth against the Mariners, setting a new MLB record for the most saves in a single season ever.

58 feels great for the fans but it feels even better for Frankie. After the game, he spoke about his new record and admitted that a huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. It's only understandable that he had been under pressure since the very moment the possibility was there. Now he's gotten it out of the way, and he says he feels a hundred times better and that he can focus more easily.

Not only have the Angels clinched the division, they're still winning. Despite having taken out a few starting players every game, they're still managing to sweep the Mariners. Not only have the starting players been out, their substitutes have been providing the team with excellent performances. Wood has recently been coming around with the bat and Juan Rivera hit three doubles and a homerun tonight. It looks like the Angels have successfully built up a playoff-worthy team and it's going to be interesting to see how it turns out come October.

 

It seems like it was meant to be. The number on the back of Francisco Rodriguez's jersey matches the number of saves needed to guarantee him a spot in history. Thursday night, in front of 38,205, Rodriguez matched Bobby Thigpen's single-season save record, nailing down his 57th save in a 7-4 victory over the Mariners at Angel Stadium.