Angels/Red Sox Series Previews: Tuesday Halolinks

by WiHaloFan on Oct 6, 2009 7:23 AM PDT in Angels News

Today's links are primarily ALDS preview reports for the Angels/Red Sox series.

Angels - Red Sox - CBSSports.com
The Angels run. The Red Sox can't stop a running game. The Red Sox struggle on the road. The Angels have home-field advantage. So much tells you that the Angels should win this series, then you remember 2004, 2007, and 2008.

This time, Angels might run wild on Red Sox - FOX Sports on MSN
If you believe in the Angels — and I do — that is where you start. The only way for the Red Sox to stop the Angels' running game is to keep the Angels' hitters — particularly leadoff man Chone Figgins — off the bases. I'm not sure the Sox's rotation, in its present state, is good enough to do that.

Red Sox-Angels ALDS breakdown - angelsbaseball.com
The Angels, typically a free-swinging group in the past, have added patience at the plate to their game, making them a much more difficult lineup, giving them a much better shot in a postseason series. This set should be more closely contested than any of the previous three.

Angels hope Vladimir Guerrero this time will be their Mr. October -- latimes.com
The playoffs have been Kryptonite to Guerrero, who hit a score-tying grand slam in Game 3 of the 2004 American League division series against the Boston Red Sox but has driven in one run in 17 postseason games since.

Playoff teams boast not only talent, but decorated managers - CBSSports.com Baseball
Joe Torre (Dodgers), Tony La Russa (Cardinals), Charlie Manuel (Phillies), Jim Tracy (Rockies), Terry Francona (Red Sox) and Mike Scioscia (Angels) have combined to make 45 postseason appearances as managers.

A capsule look at Red Sox-Angels playoff series - Yahoo! Sports
A look at the best-of-five American League division series between the Boston Red Sox and Los Angeles Angels

Why the Angels will beat the Red Sox - Sean Smith
The difference between the two teams, in terms of talent displayed over the regular season, is negligible. The Angels won two more games. Based on runs scored and runs allowed, there is again little difference. The Angels have a Pythagorean record of 93-69, the Red Sox 94-68. The Angels won the head-to head-matchup, five games to four.

My Five Biggest Questions of the Series - Los Angeles Times
Here are my five biggest questions heading into this latest Angels-Red Sox adventure:

October 6 - BR Bullpen
Events, births and deaths that occurred on October 6.

Poll

Which team has the better pitching staff:

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

320 votes

Boston Red Sox

106 votes

Too close to call

127 votes

553 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

It's about BABIP, not the running game

The popular MSM perception is that the Angels need to run to succeed. Nonsense. The Angels were prolific at scoring runs this year because they are a BABIP driven offense, as reflected in their BABIP during the months off June (.320), July (.347) and August (.327). During these three months (81 games), they scored 513 runs but also managed to slug 109 homers. The Angels will need more of this BABIP + HRs if they are to succeed in the playoffs.

Batting Splits

by Fan Since 1981 on Oct 6, 2009 7:46 AM PDT reply actions

It really is nonsense

No doubt the Angels should take advantage of stealing bases whenever they can, but they were a pretty poor basestealing team this year, percentage wise. Probably because a lot of their guys have lost a step – Figgins, Hunter, Vlad (who has lost ALL his steps). They just don’t NEED to steal to win.

Boston isn’t a great defensive team, so it’s just going to take a little more luck this year. It seemed like game 1 last year every line drive was hit right at somebody. Hopefully that doesn’t happen. And hopefully someone other than Napoli can hit a homerun or two.

I feel the need, the need...for speed!

by Gorbachav5 on Oct 6, 2009 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions

CBS pundits predict it at even-steven

If it goes to five, I’m not sure I’ll be here in 2010.

Don't call me Desmond!

by highlandhalo on Oct 6, 2009 9:06 AM PDT reply actions

spelling

counts!

"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc

by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 6, 2009 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

this guy, Ben Walker

AP Baseball Writer, has the Cardinals over the Angels in the WS.

via Yahoo!
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-postseasonpredictions&prov=ap&type=lgns

"This is a guy who is a combination of great courage and, nuts!"- Steve Physioc

by Brian S (brianguy) on Oct 6, 2009 11:06 AM PDT reply actions

Wednesday or Thursday

When are we going to find out if it’s Wednesday or Thursday?

RIP Nick Adenhart
2009 Is for You

by SMUangelFan on Oct 6, 2009 11:34 AM PDT reply actions

up to 1 hour after DET/MIN 1-game playoff

by SCHalo on Oct 6, 2009 11:36 AM PDT up reply actions

I am betting

that we start Thursday though.

It’s been speculated that the Yanks want to start Wednesday to give the Twins/Tigers a disadvantage since they’d have to play today, travel tonight and then play tomorrow ….. and also that they want to have the longer series in order to be able to use thier #1 starter more efficiently.

I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious.

by lightupthehalo on Oct 6, 2009 11:44 AM PDT reply actions

gah - should be a reply to the above.

I'm not superstitious, but I'm a little stitious.

by lightupthehalo on Oct 6, 2009 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

The Yanks don't really have a 4th starter

That would be the only game where the Twins/Tigers might have an advantage so it would make complete sense not only to make the team play back-to-back days, but also to keep 4th starters our of the equation.

I feel the need, the need...for speed!

by Gorbachav5 on Oct 6, 2009 12:09 PM PDT up reply actions

confirmed according to CNNSI......

we play on thursday, just put up a fan shot about it.

"In every adversity there lies the seed of an equivalent advantage. In every defeat is a lesson showing you how to win the victory next time." (Robert Collier)

by norcaliangelsfan on Oct 6, 2009 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions