Game Preview - Sporting News
On an afternoon expected to feature near-perfect baseball weather, New York's Andy Pettitte will attempt to win his major league-record 16th postseason game against Jered Weaver, specifically chosen for this start by Angels manager Mike Scioscia because of the southern California native's prowess at home. "We know this thing can turn in a heartbeat,'' Scioscia said. "If we win Game 3, we've got a different vibe in this series, and that's what you want to create.''
Angels warm to task of getting back in ALCS vs. Yankees - The Boston Globe
"Oh man, it’s great now,’’ said Angels center fielder Torii Hunter. "Now I can work on my tan again. It’s going to be great for both ball clubs. There’s no excuses out there in New York. Both teams were cold. To say it affected us is not right. It’s always nice to be in this warm weather . . . stay loose.
Two-game hole doesn't mean Angels are too far gone - CBSSports.com Baseball
"You'd better believe we'll be back here [for Game 6]," manager Mike Scioscia said as he walked out of his Yankee Stadium office. "I'm leaving my briefcase here." For the record, Scioscia took the briefcase, but he had made his point.
Team Reports - MLB at CBSSports.com
The Angels went 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position in the Game 2 loss, stranding 16 baserunners, including 11 from the seventh inning on. "We did a lot of good things out there on that ballfield tonight," manager Mike Scioscia said. "Unfortunately, one of them wasn't hitting with runners in scoring position, and that's eventually what hurt us."
'Up and away' left Angels down and out in ALCS -- latimes.com
From center field in Yankee Stadium on Saturday night, Torii Hunter saw catcher Jeff Mathis call for an 0-and-2 fastball to New York slugger Alex Rodriguez in the 11th inning, with the Angels trying to protect a 3-2 lead in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series. Then he saw Mathis set up high and outside. "I wanted to call timeout," Hunter said. "I saw it and thought, 'Nooooo!' Alex is one of the greatest players in the game. You know he's going to hit that pitch. There's a short porch in right field. . . . We threw two fastballs inside, and he didn't budge. Then we threw one away . . . that was weird."
The LA Angels Are Playing Without A Clean-Up HItter - Bleacher Report
Vladdy is missing fastballs right down the middle of the plate as well. Not because he can’t hit a fastball anymore, but because Vladdy once again has not changed his mentality at all and considered the fact that this team doesn’t need him to hit homers every at bat. So he’s swinging from his heels and staring at the fans on the third base side after his follow-through. The one time he didn’t, the one time he had a controlled swing to make contact, he won the game. But rather than make that the rule, he’s made it the exception.
Why Mike Scioscia won't switch - Angels Unplugged - Los Angeles Times
Why won't Mike Scioscia move the struggling Vladimir Guerrero out of the cleanup spot? Well, after being around the team most of the season and spending considerable time with the manager, here is why I'm convinced it's not going to happen during this postseason:
Angels should try moving Vlad down - FOX Sports on MSN
I asked three scouts Sunday about Vladimir Guerrero, and it sure did not sound like they were talking about a cleanup hitter. "Late on fastballs," said the first. "An out," said the second. "Done," said the third. Then I asked Angels manager Mike Scioscia if he planned to drop Guerrero from the cleanup spot for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series. Scioscia answered no.
Buster Olney: After 13 innings, 310 minutes and 432 pitches, Game 2 of the ALCS turned out to be a postseason classic, filled with both regret and redemption for the Los Angeles Angels and New York Yankees. - ESPN
7. Regret: Scioscia writes Vladimir Guerrero's name into the cleanup spot in the Angels' lineup. Guerrero has had an incredible run with the Angels, and he probably is destined to be inducted into the Hall of Fame someday, but in Game 2 he was the weakest link in the Angels' lineup; Scioscia watched from the dugout as the Yankees' pitchers went after Guerrero the way a pride of lions target a limping wildebeest. He struggles to catch up to inside fastballs, falling behind in the count and then flailing at every breaking ball within two time zones of home plate. Guerrero went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and struck out a couple of times. He has excellent career numbers against Andy Pettitte, the Yankees' Game 3 starter, with nine hits in 23 at-bats. But Pettitte will try to pound Guerrero with cut fastballs inside, and if he has it rough again in Game 3, Scioscia presumably would consider moving the slugger down in his lineup, as he did during the regular season. (subscription required)
October 19 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 19.
2002 - The San Francisco Giants take the World Series opener with a 4 - 3 win over the Anaheim Angels. Barry Bonds, Reggie Sanders and J.T. Snow hit home runs for the Giants as pitcher Jason Schmidt gets the win. Troy Glaus hits a pair of home runs for Anaheim.
Happy birthday to former Angels 2B - 1943 - Sandy Alomar, infielder; All-Star