CNNSI: Angels over Dodgers in WS

[He Hate Me]

HAHAHAHHAHA

 

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/tom_verducci/03/20/preseason.picks/index.html?cnn=yes

 

nice points Tom, but seriously the Angels?

[ORS]

Why not? They've got a good lineup. Lackey, Santana, Weaver, and Colon is a good enough 4-man rotation for October. And, most importantly, they have what looks like the best bullpen in baseball. Speier, Shields, and Rodriguez makes it a 6 inning game. All that team needs to do is make the postseason, and they'll give someone fits.

[HeadOfSoxNation]

Why not? They've got a good lineup. Lackey' date=' Santana, Weaver, and Colon is a good enough 4-man rotation for October. And, most importantly, they have what looks like the best bullpen in baseball. Speier, Shields, and Rodriguez makes it a 6 inning game. All that team needs to do is make the postseason, and they'll give someone fits.[/quote']

 

I disagree...their lineup is nothing like what they'll be facing in the rest of the American League and to expect young guys like Santana and Weaver to perform like lockdown starters in the postseason is giving a LOT of benefits of doubt. Also, we have no idea how Colon will come back this year, either. There's a ton of question marks here...sure, they could be good...but they could also fall flat on their faces. Then again...I guess that's pretty much the story with any team.

[He Hate Me]

Why not? They've got a good lineup. Lackey' date=' Santana, Weaver, and Colon is a good enough 4-man rotation for October. And, most importantly, they have what looks like the best bullpen in baseball. Speier, Shields, and Rodriguez makes it a 6 inning game. All that team needs to do is make the postseason, and they'll give someone fits.[/quote']

 

ORS, there's been reports coming out that Weaver is very immature and making the team unhappy with his attitude and work ethic. Furthermore, he and Santana are both second year putchers, and it is from experience that second year pitchers generally dont do as well as their rookie year. Also, Colon is apt to breakdown anytime because of his weight.

 

You are absolutely right about their bullpen. I think it's probably one of the best if not the best in baseball.

 

their lineup is not something i'm too crazy about.

[ORS]

Well, like you said, the potential to fail is there for everyone. I just don't think they fall in the "Not a Chance" category given the talent, especially in the pitching staff, on that team.

[TheKilo]

I don't think their lineup can get it done. Their arms are great (provided Weaver doesn't fall of this year) but too many ?'s in the lineup for my liking.

[ORS]

It's certainly no eye-opening bunch, but I think their pitching staff is the second best in baseball top-to-bottom. They won't need to pound out 900+ runs to win their fair share of games.

[Cocos Disciples]

If Colon gets back to normal or anywhere close, they have the best pitching in baseball.

 

Their hitting, however, outside of Guerrero, is just bad.

[rician blast]

I disagree...their lineup is nothing like what they'll be facing in the rest of the American League

 

neither was Detroit's and they were in the WS last year.

[Cocos Disciples]

Detroit's lineup in 06 was a lot better than the Angels' in 07 IMO.

[riverside sluggers]

ORS, there's been reports coming out that Weaver is very immature and making the team unhappy with his attitude and work ethic. Furthermore, he and Santana are both second year putchers, and it is from experience that second year pitchers generally dont do as well as their rookie year. Also, Colon is apt to breakdown anytime because of his weight.

 

You are absolutely right about their bullpen. I think it's probably one of the best if not the best in baseball.

 

their lineup is not something i'm too crazy about.

 

Weaver worked a lot of innings last year, a considerable bump from the 2005 season. Also there's been reports of problems with his arm. Im expecting a regression from what he did in his rookie year

[jacksonianmarch]

more fuel for the trolls fire.

[Rodney Harrison]

Look at each player by position:

 

C: Molina/Napoli

1B: Morales/Hillenbrand

2B: Kendrick

SS: Cabrera

3B: Izturis

LF: Anderson/Rivera

CF: Matthews

RF: Guerrero

DH: Hillenbrand

 

Not really impressed by their lineup. Vlad is the only one that can hit consistently, and Matthews was their only major pickup, and there's the HGH thing that will hang over his head all season long. Their infield has somewhat good D (unless Figgins is playing 3rd), but if they're going to make a postseason run, they'll have to rely on their pitching. Colon (who's in his contract year), Santana, Escobar, Weaver, and Lackey are an okay starting five, but it's a tall order for Weaver to replicate his 2006 season. Like I said before, Colon is the X-factor.

 

Unless they play the Red Sox in the playoffs, the Angels might be poised to make a run, provided they manage to hold off the A's.

[ORS]

I think Kotchman is winning the 1B job in ST. He's raking. If he can turn the corner and start translating his talent to the ML level, that will certainly help.

[He Hate Me]

anyone know whatever happened to Dalla McPherson?

[Rodney Harrison]

I think Kotchman is winning the 1B job in ST. He's raking. If he can turn the corner and start translating his talent to the ML level' date=' that will certainly help.[/quote']

 

Good call on Kotchman. I'd forgotten about him.

 

As for McPherson, he had back surgery to remove a herniated disc in January, which will cause him to miss most, if not all, of 2007.