MLB SEASON PREVIEW: LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF RANCHO CUCAMONGA, RIVERTUCKY AND ALL POINTS MAGICAL

by DMtShooter, Five Tool Tool

Hey, kids, it's me, your old listy pal and A's fan, here to drop more knowledge on my least favorite team in the division, seeing how they're going to win it yet again. The rest of America has more or less forgotten your Thunderstickly sins against humanity, but I've got a nice long memory for your monkey-poo throwing ways. Let's all give it up for the presumably less rodent and Erstad-infested Angels!

Offense: Boy, they're aggressive -- at the plate, on the basepaths, and up close (Mike Napoli's got the funk; give up the funk). Now buttressed by yet another low OBP guy who thinks he can steal bases (Torii Hunter), they'll swing early, swing often, and put pressure on their pitchers while they think they're putting pressure on the opposition. So long as Vlad's healthy, Howie Kendrick develops, Chone Figgins doesn't crack his wrist again and Hunter gives them a reasonable return on investment, they'll score league average or better in runs... but given how their farm system was supposed to be the be-all and end-all of the world and they spend money, they should (and need to be) much better.

Pitching: The rotation is anchored by the continually improving John Lackey, who has climbed a long slow path up the ranks from Innings Eater to Legitimate Ace. If he takes one more up step, he'll have to get a Cy Young. Kelvim Escobar gives you 150 to 180 very good innings, and breaks just enough along the way to make sure he doesn't go more than that... but recently, there's been word that it could be more than that. That would be trouble if the rest of the division were, you know, trying.

Jered Weaver hasn't progressed since his strong start, and his WHIP and ERA numbers are starting to suffer accordingly. This year is a turning point; more deterioration will cost him a lot of money in the long run. Jon Garland brings his weak stuff and his high WHIP over from Chicago; he'll look better here thanks to better defense and park, as well as weaker in-division oppostion, but don't be fooled -- he's still not very good, and those 18 wins a few years ago shouldn't convince anyone otherwise. The last slot in the rotation is filled cheaply if not well by Joe Saunders and Ervin Santana; Saunders is more reliable and has a ceiling that resembles Sanatana's floor. Santana is a prime bounce-back candidate, but even if that is all there is, they'll still win this division and not give him any chance to hurt them in the playoffs.

For years, the Halos have thrived with a dependable power bullpen, especially with the shutdown late innings of Scott Shields and K-Rod. Last year, Shields celebrated a long-term contract with some short-term ineffectiveness, and given his past workload, that's a real worry. K-Rod is still a top 5 guy or better, and might have even taken it up a notch last year. Scouts are still sure he's going to get hurt one of these days, but one of these days, we're all going to die. Carpe Savem!

Defense: The benefit of all that quasi-speed on the basepaths is a relatively good defensive team, especially if they fit Matthews and Hunter in the same outfield. The infield can get adventurous, as Figgins is more utility player than utility help, and they might miss Orlando Cabrera a little: Erick Aybar isn't really very good. But Napoli's a very solid defender behind the plate, and they all get to enough balls to make the pitchers seem better.

Prediction: 92-70, first place in the AL West.