The Last Pitcher Preview (Finally!): Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The strong Los Angeles Angels gets even stronger, both offensively and defensively, both position players and pitchers.

The Angels won the American League West last year, yet that still didn't stop them from getting both Torii Hunter and Jon Garland to boost up their already boosted roster. Disneyland, Anaheim, Los Angeles--it doesn't matter where you are or who owns you. The only thing that matters is winning, and the Angels know how to do just that. Where does winning all began? According to their manager Mike Scioscia, and their Rally Monkey, who knows a thing or two about winning (2002 World Series Champions), it all starts with pitching.

John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar, Jon Garland, Jered Weaver, Ervin Santana, Joe Saunders

What is up with the city of Los Angeles? Is it law to have 6 starters instead of 5? Is it required to have awesome pitchers in their entire rotation and have awesome backups as well? Lackey and Escobar are the co-aces leading this staff. Both pitchers totaled over 400 innings pitched and 27 wins last year, close to their goal of 40 wins. Bringing in Garland definitely boosts the staff, having back-to-back 18 win seasons in 2005-06. Garland hasn't missed a single start in his entire 7-year career. Weaver is good, we all know that; he's not like his brother Jeff, starting 0-10 or something like that last year before getting his first win. Finally, Santana, who looks to bounce back from a dismal year and Saunders, the only lefty in the rotation, are both worthy of the 5th spot. This is a very powerful and finesse core of pitchers, with Lackey, Escobar, and Santana supplying the power while Garland, Weaver, and Saunders pounds the strike zone and keeps hitters off-balanced.

Here's an interesting fact: they're all tall giraffes! Weaver is 6'7, Garland and Lackey are 6'6, Saunders is 6'3, Santana is 6'2, and Escobar is 6'1.

"Looks like the Rally Monkey will keep on rallying for some time."

From Around the Blogs:
Leonard Hamilton.... and thugs? [The Serious Tip]

Indiana upset by Penn St [Cobra Brigade]

No real reason to put this here, but we could always use more cheerleaders [Pro Cheerleading Blog]