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.
0 recs | 13 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
Fan Since 1981 - October 6, 2009
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.
Gorbachav5 - October 6, 2009
CBS pundits predict it at even-steven
If it goes to five, I’m not sure I’ll be here in 2010.
highlandhalo - October 6, 2009
spelling
counts!
Brian S (brianguy) - October 6, 2009
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
Brian S (brianguy) - October 6, 2009
Wednesday or Thursday
When are we going to find out if it’s Wednesday or Thursday?
SMUangelFan - October 6, 2009
up to 1 hour after DET/MIN 1-game playoff
SCHalo - October 6, 2009
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.
lightupthehalo - October 6, 2009
gah - should be a reply to the above.
lightupthehalo - October 6, 2009
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.
Gorbachav5 - October 6, 2009
confirmed according to CNNSI......
we play on thursday, just put up a fan shot about it.
norcaliangelsfan - October 6, 2009
Howie Kendrick
Real Scissor Gang Mafia
Higz - October 6, 2009
Can I haz sweep?
SenorChuckles - October 6, 2009
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