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2007 MLB
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2007 LA Angels Predictions
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2008 Los Angeles Angels Predictions!
Last season I ate my own
words with the LA Angels saying “if there was ever a lock
to win a division, it has to be the Los Angeles Angels to
take the AL West in 2006.” They won the division by 7
games over Oakland in 2005 and the A’s did not figure to
put up any kind of a fight in 2006 with the way their
once in tact pitching staff had been dismantled. As we
all know, Oakland took the American League West by four
games last season. At least I didn’t get caught saying
the Rangers would win the division. I anticipate a battle
between the A’s and the Angels out west again in 2006
with the Rangers fitting comfortably in third place and
the Mariners bringing up the rear.
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Perception is that the American League West is the
weakest division in baseball. And it’s true that the
Angels still play second fiddle to the Yankees, Red Sox,
and White Sox as they all have the pitching to hang
around the top for a while and they also spend the money
to bring in top notch talent. But, you might be
surprised to find that LA had a winning record against
every American League Division last season. You would
also probably be surprised to find out that they had a
losing record against the National League with the
perception that the AL cleans up in Interleague play.
The books support this perception and often undervalue
the Angels against teams from the AL Central and AL
East. We’ll look to profit again in 2007 by taking this
team against the weaker teams in those divisions and the
upper echelon teams in the right spots when the value is
there. And we’ll look to fade this team on the road in
Interleague play if their weak play against the NL
continues.
The Angels have been consistently good playing in a poor
division. That’s this team in a nutshell. But they have
enjoyed some postseason success as well winning the
World Series in 2002 and making the ALCS in 2005. The
2005 team overachieved and it was proven in the ALCS
when they were nearly swept by the White Sox losing 4
games to 1 in the Series. The Yankees and the Red Sox as
well as a number of contenders in the AL Central will be
revitalized this season and will more than likely bump
the Angels out. However, those teams have to use more
energy during the regular season wearing down more
players and more arms. It’s the Angels freshness that
comes from playing in a weaker division that has helped
them out in the postseason in the past.
I won’t make anymore outrageous claims that this team is
a lock to win the AL West, although I love them again in
2007 with Zito moving across the bay, but I will say
that they should be your favorite to take the division.
With Vlad Geurrero and Garret Anderson, this team should
have the second most pop in the division to Texas but
stealing Gary Mathews Junior away from Arlington will
help even that out. LA’s pitching staff is looking great
with Santana, Escobar, Lackey, and Weaver(11-2 last
season). Take advantage of this often underrated team
against some of the baseball giants in the right spots,
especially in Anaheim. The value will be great.
2007 Oakland A's
Predictions
2007 Texas
Rangers Predictions
2007 Seattle
Mariners Predictions
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