20 Observations After 20 Games

by Rev Halofan on Apr 20, 2008 7:54 PM PDT

We have played 12.5% of the season and...

If neither the Mariners nor A’s sign Barry Bonds by June 1, this division belongs to the Angels by an easy 12 games. Frank Thomas will not be enough.
The Angels’ record in missed John Lackey starts: 2-2.
A week without Howie Kendrick saw us go 5-2, and yet he remains the most-missed Halo at the moment.
Don’t worry about Shields and Frankie, the bullpen is going to be fine – Justin Speier might need the most help of them all and he has nailed it down of late.
If Juan Rivera remains the only apparent alternative to the slumping-yet-healthy Gary Matthews and Garret Anderson, assume Mike Scioscia will let them hit their way out of it – into productivity or oblivion.
After 4 starts each, Ervin Santana looks better than Jered Weaver.
Joe Saunders is having some great early success, but watch past the 80-pitch mark as he hits the exhaustion wall.
Jon Garland is going to get the Jekyll and Hyde award by the end of the season.
Mathis and Napoli are the best catching tandem in baseball and equitable playing time between the two should mean rested superiority late in the season.
Torii Hunter is the real deal.
Vlad is pressing and really should be DH more.
Casey Kotchman may wind up on the all-star team and should already have a gold glove.
In 4 of our 8 losses, we had the go-ahead run at the plate or on base when the final out was made.
With his bat and glove, Erick Aybar has made me forget Orlando Cabrera, but Matthews in the #2 slot and Garland on the mound have brought OC back into view.
I gave up on Chone Figgins before last season and he just surprises me every game. His glove is fine at the hot corner and he is an elite leadoff man – the transformation from overrated supersub to key cog in the machine is complete.
Like Bewitched!, we have two Darrens. Unlike Bewitched!, our new Darren (O’Day) is better than our old Darren (Oliver).
Frankie is determined to pitch 50 Saves in his contract year and we might as well let him.
Scot Shields should be an above-average to very-good closer next season.
Other than Matthews in the 2 spot, how can you complain about Mike Scioscia?
Going into play today, we had yet to play a .500 team.

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And we play Boston next

at Boston.

I still don’t think this is a 90-win club without Lackey and Escobar pitching tandem and healthy.

by shiftyeyedgoat on Apr 20, 2008 8:33 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

My complaints with the angels so far.

Matthews batting second and GA batting clean up.

by wings on Apr 20, 2008 8:48 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

One more observation- if we had been 12-8 after 20 in 2002

We’d have won a 105 games that year. There are all kinds of places this season can go, and we’re looking pretty good at the 20 game mark, despite the injuries so far. That’s enough for the moment. Personally, I like the feel of this team. We still haven’t really kicked into high gear and yet we’re this good. We’ve shown in a number of games that we don’t quit, even if we’re down by over ten in the 9th. That’s a cool feeling to have.

~Till the Halo burns out...

by Zu Long on Apr 20, 2008 8:49 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Good Analysis, Rev

We’ve got a great team and we’re playing well, in spite of setbacks. Our offense has been great this year, and I think we’re in for one heck of a season this year.

Thanks Artie!

by Los Angeles de Anaheim on Apr 20, 2008 8:54 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

My biggest surprise has been Kotchman

His defense at first has been unbelievable and his clutch hits have been something else. I only wish he would get a bit more time batting against lefty starters, never the less, I am satisfied with the first 20 and hopefully Big John and Howie can make it back soon.

Jack in the Box and the Angels
My winning combination

by Erik121 on Apr 20, 2008 9:08 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Seriously

he’s 3-7 with 2 doubles against lefties this year. I don’t know what he needs to do to prove he can hit them, but the guy is a sure-thing starting first baseman, capable of being more of the more offensive-oriented first basemen in the league, and Scioscia seems to still have it in his head that the guy is a platoon player with no real reason to believe so.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 20, 2008 10:52 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Good read..

And goddamn this series nearly gave me a heart attack. Made it to all three and aside from the second game there was some very entertaining baseball. What a rollercoaster Friday night was, Torii Hunter showed in this series that he is well worth his contract (And Dodger fans raved about their Andruw Jones signing and look where they both are now). I was sitting behind the M’s dugout that night and that last shot by Sexson looked gone, Hunter made an awesome catch, right when I saw him measuring it up I just though ‘Oh shit..’ Saunders (for the most part) and Santana both pitched lights out, didn’t expect that from Santana. The Angels piss me off, I dont know if they always do this or just step it up against us, but it just seems like they get runs across. No matter what it takes, 2 out singles, stolen bases, etc. I have much respect for the team. Im definitely jealous of the way your ballclub is put together with all that speed throughout the order. Well at this point the series is at 3-3. Im sure there will be more good baseball played beween our teams. Although we lost 2 of 3, it was a great series and I had a great time at the games. The Big A is really a great place to watch baseball (and I gotta say the fans were very hospitable which makes it nice when rooting for the visitors, unlike when at Dodger Stadium). Heres to a great pennant race.. (and go M’s!)

by seamariners85 on Apr 20, 2008 9:19 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Thanks

For the friendly commentary!

Light Up That Halo!

by Clutch on Apr 21, 2008 2:24 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Aybar

Has impressed me the most so far. I’m especially happy about his bunting ability. That one he laid down today was great.

by Doctor Wu on Apr 20, 2008 9:28 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

If Scioscia insists...

Lineup tweaks….
Swap Kotch and GA in the lineup and swap Howie (when he returns) with HGH.

There's an old saying: 50 percent of what's going to happen, you have no control over. And the other 50 percent is going to happen anyway." -- Arte Moreno

by K3YEROUT on Apr 20, 2008 9:33 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

I'm not too worried about GMJ in the 2-hole

Scioscia is very diplomatic about these matters, and he’s willing to give players all kinds of rope to asphyxiate themselves with. I really think the Angels made the GMJ deal knowing full well it might not create more than a couple years of value, but they were willing to take that gamble. I doubt they were as stupid as they sometimes appear, which is why they went hard for Torii after he became available. If GMJ really turns out to be Journeyman Gary, the Halos can move somebody else there … like, I dunno, Kendry Morales? Probably too early for that, but you get my drift. Mike can make some decent lineups, and I figure he’ll put something useful together.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Apr 20, 2008 11:44 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

wow.

your confidence in this 2008 team seems very weird to me.

but i like it!

Halos Fan Since 5th Grade

by angels4adam on Apr 22, 2008 5:31 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Vlad

Why doesn’t play get surgery during the off season to clean up his joints? He doesn’t look too fresh, and it seems like he’s going to get a lot of wear and tear before the season is up.

by atung on Apr 21, 2008 12:14 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

#7

I don’t mind Saunders only pitching 80-90 if he continues to pitch this well.

by vladtheimpaler on Apr 21, 2008 12:54 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Juxtapose 1 & 20

Difficult to say we’ll win it by 12 when we haven’t played anyone with a winning record…

If we take at least 3/6 from the next week, and then we’ll see.

Re no.16 – which one is drunk Darren and which one sober Darren?

Re no. 13 – What’s our conversion rate in that situation. We’ve missed 4, Hunter hit that walk-off slam, so we’re 1 for 5? Have I missed one? Nice to see the team putting themselves in a position to win, but it would be nicer to finish a couple off (Mr Anderson, I’m looking at you).

I see red people

by The Limey on Apr 21, 2008 5:55 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Very much looking forward to the Detroit series...

...we get our first Halos game of the season live over this side of the pond on Sunday night.

I see red people

by The Limey on Apr 21, 2008 5:57 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Weaver vs Verlander?

I see red people

by The Limey on Apr 21, 2008 6:00 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

i miss you john lackey

of course you do have your probs in boston. i believe everyone does so i’ll let that slide.

If your a true Angel... Gary Mathews --you'll stare into the sun long enough to go blind.

by calikraze on Apr 21, 2008 7:50 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

don't you think

HK should bat second (when healthy) , and what about flipping GA and Vlad. With GA batting 3rd he will see a lot of fastballs which he will be able to hit when he is 50, and lets him bring in RBI’s like he can and Vlad will most likely have a chance to have more men on base. this also takes any pressure off of GMJ and maybe he stops slumpping at the # 6 spot

Relax... Everything is fine

by Sinatrasratpack on Apr 21, 2008 8:38 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Yup

Career splits show that GMJ’s worst batting slot, throughout his years, is in the 2-hole. His best are at number 6. Not even close.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 21, 2008 9:08 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

The Angels are far better than the A's.

Which is obvious to anyone who follows the sport. The A’s are rebuilding, and then you guys sign Torii Hunter. Ouch! Speaking as an A’s fan, I will put up with the suffering. (Which means they will suck this year. Long time A’s fans are used to this kind of pain).
But Rev., I have to say: I do not think Billy Beane will go so low as to sign Bonds. Sure, Jack Cust eats fastballs for breakfast. And it appears the rest of the league has figured that out—they are now serving salami and hash browns.
But Barry? King of Ego? In the Oakland clubhouse? Even for no money, I think not.
If the A’s sign Barry, I will find another team, I have no respect for him,,,,
Cheers to all at HH.

by catfish72 on Apr 21, 2008 9:33 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Question...

RE: “Frank Thomas will not be enough.”

Are you predicting one of our divisional foes will sign this albatross?

by Downing Rules on Apr 21, 2008 10:04 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

is it just me

or does Frank Thomas have just about the ugliest swing in the majors??

seriously… i cant believe that guy has hit 500+ homers in his career. that swing is nasty

Bring up Wood!!!

by howiestheman on Apr 21, 2008 10:32 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

PA Sports Ticker Offering Advice to Mariners

LINK – to – STORY

It says that basically the Mariners need to make a move, because all the Angels are doing is biding time waiting for Lackey to return. I guess we all knew this, it is just funny to see national (Connecticut) media trying to “help” the M’s.

by Downing Rules on Apr 21, 2008 10:47 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

I'd like to say that the M's are just biding time waiting for Bedard & Putz to return...

But then I recall that they still have Vidro eating $8.5 million for being the worst DH ever.

Also, Rev, I’m a bit confused by #20…are you saying that because the Angels knocked the M’s under .500 on Saturday, that nullifies them being over .500 when they played them Friday?

I'm more like I am now than I've ever been.

by ralphie81 on Apr 21, 2008 12:07 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

yes that is wht i am saying

“going into play Sunday” on Sunday the Mariners were 9-10

by Rev Halofan on Apr 21, 2008 12:28 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

OK

But going into play Friday, they were 9-8. So to say you hadn’t played a .500 team yet is stretching it a bit, in my opinion.

I'm more like I am now than I've ever been.

by ralphie81 on Apr 21, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Wow, you joined HH just to write that reply...

I’m honored.

by Downing Rules on Apr 21, 2008 12:33 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Oh don't worry

There will be more :-)

I'm more like I am now than I've ever been.

by ralphie81 on Apr 21, 2008 12:42 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

It's rare that I agree with Dusty Baker

but I think it’s very possible that Frank Thomas would be a liability (or at least, a wash) on a Mariners team that looks remarkably like the Angels’, offensively. That is, not a lot of power, a decent amount of speed, and a bunch of slap-hitters at the bottom. Thomas would likely be hitting in the 4-5 hole, which means to get him home from second you’ll have to hit a double.

Witty .sig goes here.

by scareduck on Apr 21, 2008 12:35 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Some people consider our power to be a bit of a fluke

but I think the days of us being solely a slap team are over. Our power numbers could easily rank near the top of the league if hitters continue to hit the way they can. Vlad’s bat hasn’t started to heat up to its normal levels, and we’re still near the top of the league in homers. Realistically:

Casey: 20-25HR
Torii: 25-30
Vlad: 30
Garret: 15-20
GMJ: 15-20
Howie: 10
Napoli: 20
Rivera: 5-10
Mathis/Figgins/Aybar/Izturis: 5 each

Going off the low-end estimates for every single player, and not tacking on room for upside, or contributions from unforeseen players, the team could easily break 160+ jacks. Which says nothing of the insane number of doubles that players like Kotch, Kendrick, and Vlad tend to hit.

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 21, 2008 1:04 PM PDT up reply reply 1 recs

I hope you are right, but...

I think you over-estimated a few:

Vlad. He will be lucky to break 25.

GMJ will be lucky to break 15.

Howie will end up with less than 10, probably around 6 or 7.

Napoli is unconscious, presently, and will not end up with 20.

Good news is that Hunter will easily get 30 and Mathis is going to get more than 5.

I am open to going to an all-you-can eat “crow” restaurant, but I think these are more realistic numbers.

by Downing Rules on Apr 23, 2008 9:48 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Interesting

Vlad lucky to break 25? Every healthy season in the majors he has.

GMJ is already at 4.

Howie I’ll give you because he can’t stay healthy right now.

Naps just hit #5

by Caseys Kiss of Death on Apr 24, 2008 3:30 PM PDT up reply reply 1 recs

You also said Howie was a lock to get 200 hits last year, when I said he would not.

I know, I know injury. It’s a valid excuse, but that is why I stay on the negative side of these kinds of projection discussions.

My opinion is that these guys are not going to hitt those numbers because I am being realistic about their durability. You are projecting (as track records allow you to) and thinking you are being conservative. I say it is unrealistic. But, that is my opinion.

As one of my friends always says “WE’LL SEE.” I recommended yours and 44’s posts so we can revisit after the year is over and serve crow to those who need it. Like I said, I will be stoked if my negativity is wrong.

Enter your last word below here… since you always have the last word in every single discussion you engage in…

Arte, please buy the Angels back from the Red Sox...they've owned us long enough.

by Downing Rules on Apr 25, 2008 11:33 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

you don't have to be a dick about it.

Halos Fan Since 5th Grade

by angels4adam on Apr 25, 2008 5:05 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Name's not Richard...

but nice try.

Not sure how you got from my opinion to calling me names.

I will be the first to admit I was wrong if Vlad crosses that 25HR plateau.

I was simply siding with caution, and certainly not name-calling, A4A.

Arte, please buy the Angels back from the Red Sox...they've owned us long enough.

by Downing Rules on Apr 28, 2008 4:19 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Even with Napoli hitting his 5th homerun today, he is not even hot yet.

He will get twenty even with sharing the plate with Mathis.

Scioscia, "Roll the hole!"

by 44FAN on Apr 24, 2008 6:37 PM PDT up reply reply 1 recs

I just get tired

of GA at # 4. Torii or someone else needs to bat there. GMJr. at # 2 is okay for now. He doesn’t ground out to second very much.

Stay on the damn bag!!

by higdog on Apr 21, 2008 4:16 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Come on Mike ........ Lets shake it up !!!!!

If you are a successful major league manager you should be able to adjust. GMJ has no business hitting in the second hole and neither does GA …........... look at this line-up and give my your opinions …....................

1. Figgy / 3rd
2. Howie / 2nd
3. Hunter / CF
4. Vlad / RF
5. Kotch / 1st
6. GA / LF
7. GMJ / DH / against righties / Rivera against lefties
8. Napoli or Mathis / C
9. Aybar / SS

Howie by far is the better two hitter
Hunter will be on base for vladie more often at #3
GA will be a better hitter in the sixth spot
GMJ hits better with less pressure #7 is perfect
Get more at bats for Rivera and he will perform

WOULD LOVE TO READ YOUR THOUGHTS AND WHY ??

by cookieman 57 on Apr 21, 2008 7:28 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Good lineup

but i think i would bat kotch third and hunter fifth.

by wings on Apr 22, 2008 1:27 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

three right handers in a row doesn't work then three lefties

(and i consider GMG a lefty since he only pretends to bat right handed)

I am a fair weather fan so the Angels better win!

by Halo84653 on Apr 22, 2008 8:10 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

ADENDUM

I DIDN’T MEAN GA ALSO IN THE SECOND HOLE I MEANT GA HAS NO BUSINESS HITTING CLEAN -UP !!

by cookieman 57 on Apr 21, 2008 7:32 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

i LOVE that lineup

except Morales should be DH-ing…. :)

Bring up Wood!!!

by howiestheman on Apr 21, 2008 8:28 PM PDT reply reply 0 recs

sorry

forgot to hit the reply button.
that was a reply to cookieman 57’s lineup

Bring up Wood!!!

by howiestheman on Apr 21, 2008 8:29 PM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Having Morales would help

Figgy
Kotchman
Vlad
Morales
Hunter
Anderson
Howie
Napoli
Abar

I would like to see Howie batting earlier in the order but it doesn’t work.

I am a fair weather fan so the Angels better win!

by Halo84653 on Apr 22, 2008 8:15 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Don't mean to troll or anything

But what do you base the assumption that you’ll win the division by 12 games on?

In reality Oakland has been the best in the West to this point (91 RS 75 RA) and the Mariners (94 RS 85 RA) and Angels (97 RS 87 RA) are basically dead even.

Not that it means anything because it’s so early in the season, but if you’re going to try to project the rest of the season based on performance so far don’t you want to evaluate the performance of your rivals so far too?

by Notor on Apr 22, 2008 8:45 AM PDT reply reply 0 recs

Pythag wins

Is awfully convenient when it proves your point huh? That being said the RS/RA allowed points to last years Mariners being awful. Given what you have added to the team this year, they should still be awful. There is your 12 games.

Sea-at-ha-ha-ha that's funny.

by hauldog on Apr 22, 2008 10:16 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs

Not talking about the Mariners so much

Oakland has both the same record as the Angels at this point and a better pythag too. Soooo….yeah, division seems pretty wide-open if we’re being honest.

by Notor on Apr 22, 2008 11:02 AM PDT up reply reply 0 recs