Well if you take away a teams top two pitchers (Lackey/Santana), #3 hitter and best player (Vlad), and 2-3other starters and you won't find many teams who will be able to stay afloat.
<<I'm not making any judgment on how they should do following major injuries. I just faded them for betting purposes because I think with their recent success, people have overrated parts of their team which are made to look better because of their superb starting pitching. Once they lost 2 key SP, I figured odds would still reflect a top-notch team which I don't think they are (just by looking at bullpen and line-up). Thats why I've been fading them and its worked out well thus far.
That being said, considering all their problems and the fact that theyve had a couple tough tough losses this week, they're probably not in a position to completely worry about making playoffs or watever. But for gambling purposes, I think theyre currently fade material
That being said, considering all their problems and the fact that theyve had a couple tough tough losses this week, they're probably not in a position to completely worry about making playoffs or watever. But for gambling purposes, I think theyre currently fade material
i thought the al west was in play this season...
felt there was no way the angels would have the division won by the all-star break...
teixiera & rodriguez were huge losses...
the abuse index on john lackey bothered me...and what do you know...
his elbow is swiss cheese...
the angels rotation is not even close to seattle's now that bedard is healthy...
i thought seattle and texas would be there the whole way...
texas has some unbelievable bats...they have so many...i could see 'em trading for pitching...
if they get better arms...wow...
don wakamatsu was a great hire...and he single handedly changed the mood in that mariner clubhouse...
i have two al west future tickets...
$400 each on SEA +1250 and TEX +1250 to win the west this season.
felt there was no way the angels would have the division won by the all-star break...
teixiera & rodriguez were huge losses...
the abuse index on john lackey bothered me...and what do you know...
his elbow is swiss cheese...
the angels rotation is not even close to seattle's now that bedard is healthy...
i thought seattle and texas would be there the whole way...
texas has some unbelievable bats...they have so many...i could see 'em trading for pitching...
if they get better arms...wow...
don wakamatsu was a great hire...and he single handedly changed the mood in that mariner clubhouse...
i have two al west future tickets...
$400 each on SEA +1250 and TEX +1250 to win the west this season.
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Yes, Vlad doesn't excuse a 9-4 meltdown but who said it does? Vlad has hit .300 every year of his career in which he has played 10 games. Also hit 25 Hr's or more last 12 years. Drove in 90+ for past 11 of 12 years (1 year he only played 110 games).
To say he won't hurt a little is not fair. Yes, he is not the Vlad of old but you are missing a good hitter and a presence in the middle.
This division is wide open and I really like Texas and the Mariners this year. Texas won't trade for pitching because they are going to have to give up prospects or a solid bat for a pitcher and really what does one pitcher do? I think Milwood will be solid but the 3-4-5 are going to kill them.
Mariners may run out of magic, the lineup is underrated but they are a low scoring team. Should be interesting could see if they can stick around in the heat of summer.
I think Angels get back on track once they get some pitching back. Too much experience at the top for them not to. Team knows how to win and has been grinding out wins forever. I don't know if it will be enough to get them into first but I think they compete.
To say he won't hurt a little is not fair. Yes, he is not the Vlad of old but you are missing a good hitter and a presence in the middle.
This division is wide open and I really like Texas and the Mariners this year. Texas won't trade for pitching because they are going to have to give up prospects or a solid bat for a pitcher and really what does one pitcher do? I think Milwood will be solid but the 3-4-5 are going to kill them.
Mariners may run out of magic, the lineup is underrated but they are a low scoring team. Should be interesting could see if they can stick around in the heat of summer.
I think Angels get back on track once they get some pitching back. Too much experience at the top for them not to. Team knows how to win and has been grinding out wins forever. I don't know if it will be enough to get them into first but I think they compete.
I'm a huge Mariners fan and personally it seems they are playing above their means right now. You never know though, in 2001 no one thought they had that great of a team but somehow they found a way to win over 100 games. Wakamatsu gets a lot of credit for the clubhouse environment but I give most of the credit to Griffey. The guy is an amazing clubhouse presence and is making sure every player on that team is having fun right now.
As for Texas, I could see them trading one of their catching prospects for an arm. They've got 2 stud prospects they might as well. I just don't see Texas being a contender they are just way too inconsistent and make too many mistakes.
Don't count out the A's, they always have a stretch in the season where they will reel off like a 20-4 stretch. If their young arms can gain some confidence they could get hot.
Like many have already mentioned, Angels are just dessimated with injuries. Vlad is going to be out longer than a month, I can almost guarantee that. He is the spark in their lineup like Gimme said, without him they are in big trouble, even more so than missing an ace like Lackey.
As for Texas, I could see them trading one of their catching prospects for an arm. They've got 2 stud prospects they might as well. I just don't see Texas being a contender they are just way too inconsistent and make too many mistakes.
Don't count out the A's, they always have a stretch in the season where they will reel off like a 20-4 stretch. If their young arms can gain some confidence they could get hot.
Like many have already mentioned, Angels are just dessimated with injuries. Vlad is going to be out longer than a month, I can almost guarantee that. He is the spark in their lineup like Gimme said, without him they are in big trouble, even more so than missing an ace like Lackey.
