These guys again? I thought the Rangers already put them to bed. Now I guess they have to tuck them in and turn on a night-light. To think we used to concern ourselves with meaningful games against the Angels. While that had its novelty and charm, we're nearing a time where the Angels will no longer be of concern. Like last time, let's look at some series scenarios to give you an idea as to why they're going to be crying for mom and dad to come check for monsters under their bed.
This series can play out in one of four ways:
- The Rangers are swept - 6 games up on the Angels in August
- The Rangers lose two of three - 8 games up on the Angels in August
- The Rangers win two of three - 10 games up on the Angels in August
- The Rangers sweep the series - 12 games up on the Angels in August
I'll be honest, neither of the first two should worry us all that much and the second two will only confirm what is becoming clearer and clearer. The Angels are trying their damnedest to slip off into sweet slumber for dreams of 2011. I'm not saying I want anything to do with the Rangers getting swept by the Angels because then they might believe somehow that they still had something of a chance. The scary claws inching closer as they pulled the covers over their eyes were just shadows playing tricks on them. No, if it were up to me, I'd just prefer the monster to be real and for the Rangers to gobble up the Angels for good.
Friday, July 30 9:05: RHP Tommy Hunter vs. RHP Ervin Santana
Saturday, July 31 8:05: RHP Scott Feldman? (Rich Harden?) vs. RHP Dan Haren
Sunday, August 1 2:35: LHP Cliff Lee!!! vs. RHP Jered Weaver
The fact that pitching match-ups are critical to the overall odds of success in each individual series ties into something we have discussed about how the Rangers have a perceived "cupcake" schedule. While it is true that facing the AL West, especially the Mariners and Angels, makes it a little easier to maneuver this season than if the Rangers were a member of the AL East. A lot depends on who is scheduled to pitch.
The Rangers continue to have to face the Weavers, Harens, Santanas, Felix Hernadezs, Trevor Cahills, Brett Andersons and Gio Gonzalezs of their division. That changes the complexion of just proclaiming a series as a cakewalk. Along with those in-division quality pitchers, the Rangers have actually faced quite a few series where they have matched-up with a team's rotation front-end. Just because the Rangers fared well against the Brewers, Marlins, and Astros, teams considered weaker, and part of the reason the Rangers have the stigma of playing more lesser opponents, doesn't mean they did so without having to face Yovanni Gallardo, Josh Johnson, and Roy Oswalt. If the Rangers do play meaningful October baseball, they will have earned it.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (52-52, 3rd place AL West)
Rangers' 2010 Record vs. Anaheim: 6-3
Anaheim's Recent Results: 0-3 Series sweep against the Boston Red Sox
SBN Angels Blog: Halos Heaven (No.)
|
Match-up: (as of 7/29) |
Rangers |
Angels |
Advantage |
|
|
Batting (RAR) |
166.6 (7th) |
66.5 (25th) |
Rangers |
|
|
Starters (RAR) |
71.9 (18th) |
80.3 (14th) |
Angels |
|
|
Bullpen (RAR) |
31.2 (6th) |
7.6 (23rd) |
Rangers |
|
|
Overall RAR |
269.7 |
154.4 |
Rangers! |
|
|
Defense Runs Saved |
21 |
-11 |
|
Questions to Ponder:
- Did you know Kendry Morales is still fourth in batting WAR for the Angels despite being out for over two months now?
- Where you aware that (surprise) Josh Hamilton (0.81) has been the most clutch player on the Rangers? Or that Ervin Santana (1.11) has been the most clutch player on the Angels? (Kendry Morales (0.91) has been their most clutch position player. Oops.)
- Over/Under: 7 bat flips on meaningless outs for Torii Hunter?
- How many games out do the Angels have to be for you to personally consider them finished?
- Who else is already bored with the Rangers playing the Angels?
For no reason:
