A lot of people picked the Los Angeles Angels to go to the World Series this year. Who could blame them? With the off season additions of CJ Wilson and Albert Pujols along with the emergence of Mike Trout, the Angels have one of the most talented teams in the American League. However, talent doesn’t always guarantee a postseason berth (see: 2011 Red Sox). The Angels are currently 8.5 back of the AL West leading Rangers and 4.5 back of a Wild Card spot. With a less than 10% chance to make the playoffs, this series against the White Sox at home will be a crucial series to keep their postseason hopes alive.
In terms of underrated teams in the American League, the Chicago White Sox rank up there with the best of them. They’ve been quietly putting together a really solid season and they’re record doesn’t really show it. Here’s the fact of the day for you: Since last September the White Sox are 7-14 against the Kansas City Royals, going an abysmal 5-10 this year. If they played better against the Royals, they probably would have had the division locked already. As of right now, the White Sox hold a two game led in AL Central and play the Angels this weekend, who are playing pretty decent ball at the moment. Depending on what the Tigers do this weekend, the White Sox could have a very comfortable lead in the central if they were to win two of three from the Angels.
Peavy’s had a great season so far, will the Sox extend his contract this offseason?
(Chicago Suns Time)
Game One: CWS Jake Peavy (11-11, 3.26 ERA) vs. LAA Ervin Santana (8-12, 5.08 ERA)
Story of two different pitchers this year for Peavy and Santana. Having one of his best seasons in recent memory, Peavy has been the solid number 2 in Chicago all year. A resurgent year for Peavy, he’s posted his best ERA and highest IP total since his Cy Young year of 2007. It’s been a completely different story for Santana. After last season’s performance (3.38 ERA, 178 Ks, and 4 CGs), it looked like Santana was poised for a great run in 2012 as a great number 4 starter for the Angels. That has not been the case in the slightest. The long ball has KILLED Santana this year as he’s given up a league leading 35 HRs. Look for that trend to continue as the White Sox rank second to the Yankees in HRs this year with 195. Peavy should be able to out pitch Santana by a mile and get a win for his club in the process. White Sox winning 4-2.
Scioscia should be handing the ball off a lot in a battle of inconsistent starters.
(Johnathan Daniel, Getty Images)
Game Two: CWS Jose Quintana (6-4, 3.69 ERA) vs. LAA Dan Haren (11-11, 4.41 ERA)
Like Santana, Angels fans are probably incredibly disappointed with the season Dan Haren has had. He’s just been so inconsistent this year that it’s driving fans and management alike crazy. He started a league high 34 times last season, posted a 3.17 ERA, and finished top 7 in the Cy Young voting. With the signing of CJ Wilson, the Angels had arguably one of the top rotations in all of baseball and were among the favorites to win the World Series. Flash forward to today and the Angels need the 2011 Dan Haren to lead them to a big game two against the White Sox. On the other hand, Quintana has had a pretty decent season. In his first full season with the White Sox, he started the season off with a sparkling 2.86 ERA through his first 18 starts. Over his past four starts, however, he’s posted a 6.51 ERA in just 15.2 IP. It’s pretty clear that the Sox need to be careful with him over the next couple weeks as he’ll be a crucial part of the rotation if they make the playoffs. I think Haren to have an okay game (6 IP, 3 ER, 5Ks) but Quintana to continue his slide and the Angels win 6-5 in a bullpen shootout.
Chalk up another win for the Angel’s best pitcher this weekend
(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images North America)
Game Three: CWS Gavin Floyd (10-10, 4.50 ERA) vs. LAA Jared Weaver (18-4, 2.79 ERA)
Another year, another CY Young like season, throw in a no-hitter earlier in the season and you get the Angels Ace, Jared Weaver. He’s the only pitcher this season that has reached expectations for the Angels this season. Even with a brief stint on the DL in late May, Weaver has racked up 18 wins for his ball club and has been without a doubt the Angels most consistent pitcher this year. He leads the league in WHIP with a 1.004 and will probably continue his good season home against the White Sox. The only alarming thing about Weaver’s season this year is that his K rate is down almost a full K from his career pace, but still not affecting his H/9 ratio at all. Floyd’s problem is that he’s just been really inconsistent this year. He’s either had a really good month (3.13 ERA in April, 2.45 ERA in July) or a really terrible month (7.06 ERA in May, 5.96 ERA in August). The White Sox NEED him to be consistent heading into the playoffs or their chances at winning in the postseason will no slim. I think both starters are actually going to have really good games in a series clinching game 3. Weaver is most likely going to be the better of the two starters, probably going seven strong innings. Angels will win game 3, 5-4, with Pujols coming through with a base knock late in the game to take the lead.
sportschattah 