Los Angeles Angels
97-65, AL West Champions, Swept Red Sox
Closer Brian Fuentes was erratic down the stretch but is still the man the Angels go to in the ninth.
(By Stephen Dunn -- Getty Images)
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Who's Blogging  |
What We've Learned
• They are inspired. The Angels' embrace of fallen teammate Nick Adenhart, who was killed by an alleged drunk driver on April 9, is more than a heartwarming story; it's an important part of the team's collective character, an emotional boost that has united the Angels all season.
• They don't have to run to win. The Angels stole just three bases in their three-game sweep of the Red Sox. Mike Scioscia, arguably the best manager in the game, won't have the Angels running just for the sake of it.
• John Lackey is back. Lackey, the Angels' veteran right-hander, shut out the Red Sox for 7 1/3 innings in the ALDS, his first postseason win since the 2002 World Series. In between, he was 0-3 with a 4.00 ERA.
What We Still Don't Know
• Can their bullpen be trusted? Closer Brian Fuentes was shaky enough down the stretch that he lost sole possession of the job, and set-up men Jason Bulger and Kevin Jepsen have struggled with command recently.
• Where's Howie Kendrick? After a surprise midseason demotion to the minors, he returned to hit .387 in July, .328 in August and .392 in September. Yet he got only five plate appearances in the ALDS.
• What will their left-handed starters provide? Joe Saunders, their Game 2 starter, was skipped in the ALDS, and Scott Kazmir yielded five runs in his start against Boston. The Angels are relying on them because of the advantages left-handers enjoy in Yankee Stadium.
