Angels Playoff Picture: Pitching

by Johnny Angel on Sep 24, 2008 8:43 AM PDT

Halos Heaven,

On the subject of our playoff pitching roster, let's hope that we can use Lackey, Santana, and Saunders as frequently as possible. Our top three match up with any top three in baseball, but there's a big drop off to Weaver and Garland. Also, I'm a little concerned about our bullpen depth in that we haven't found a solid number five guy after Oliver, Arredondo, Shields, and Frankie. Bulger, O'Day, Jepsen, and Speier have all struggled in the fifth/sixth inning or "mop up" role. Most elite teams go at least five deep in the pen, and although Loux has been the most effective, and would be my vote for this role, I think Mike might go with Speier because of his experience.

What do you think?

Best,

Johnny Angel

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the starting pitching is going to depend on whether we decide on the 7 or 8-day series

if it’s the 8-day, we’ll only see Lackey, Santana and Saunders.
if it’s the 7-day, we’ll see those 3 and one of Garland/Weaver, or we bring Lackey back on 3 day’s rest, which is unlikely, IMO.

about the ‘pen… i was hoping either Jepsen or Bulger would step up and take the spot, but both of them seem to know what’s at stake, and they’re playing like they’re nervous, which leads me to believe that they have a hard time handling this kind of pressure. That’s not what you want from one of your postseason relievers… they could have to pitch in a very big spot – you never know what’s going to happen.

that being said, i would expect them to give Shane Loux a few more looks over the next couple of days… he seems to have to most poise under pressure, and he’s been around the bigs before. If he falters, expect to see Speier.

Kotch would've had that.

by howiestheman on Sep 24, 2008 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

I think...

you answered the second part of your statement with the first. Our solid number five guy in the pen is Weaver/Garland. I happen to believe that Weaver could be very effective in the pen because he brings a different look (deception) in his wind up following any starter.

This also leads me to believe that Garland is the spot starter in a longer series pretty much based on his previous playoff success.

by Wytelitning on Sep 24, 2008 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

weaver is more of a strike out guys as well...

which helps in a reliever role, as he may be inheriting runners with less than two outs in an inning.

"Life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end."

by NoDakHalo on Sep 24, 2008 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions

last time

we brought a starter out of the pen, it was washburn who was our only lefty, who gave up that jack to ortiz. I can see weaver being a victim of the same shit.

by jtkelly86 on Sep 24, 2008 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions

i hope we take the eight day series.

lackey, santana, saunders rotation

krod, shields, dondo, oliver, weaver, garland pen

that sounds pretty damn solid to me.

"Life is a luminous halo, a semi-transparent envelope surrounding us from the beginning of consciousness to the end."

by NoDakHalo on Sep 24, 2008 10:28 AM PDT reply actions

I agree, but there's a lot of talk about wanting to take the shorter series to force the Red Sux to pitch Byrd or Wakefield.

While Weaver might be a better pitcher than Byrd and Wakefield, I don’t think Weaver versus the Red Sux lineup will produce better results than Byrd or more Wakefield against our lineup.

by snowhor on Sep 24, 2008 10:32 AM PDT up reply actions

or go with the short series and put out lackey on short rest???

maybe

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Specializing in maniac-ball since 2000

by halofan4life on Sep 24, 2008 1:34 PM PDT up reply actions

If we go with 8 days

we go with Lackey, Santana, Saunders as starters. Put Garland and Weaver both in the pen. Weaver comes in when you need a strike out. Garland comes in when you need a double play.

Shine on, luminous panthers!

by Rally Manatee on Sep 24, 2008 3:44 PM PDT reply actions

Off subject

Rev… or anyone who can answer. Do you have women HH shirts or just men? And how much are they? I need to get my HH gear and fast!!!
Please let me know

Peace Love & Angels Baseball

by MrsMoreno on Sep 25, 2008 10:19 AM PDT reply actions