Who wins the AL West...???

[winkyduck]

we know it can't finish in a tie - so who wins the division?

i'll start things off by sticking with my pick before the season began:

Oakland

all of the a's pitchers are on full rest (maybe not such a good thing the way they have been throwing lately) while all of the angels' hurlers are on 3 days rest. this is the chance for the a's big 3 to show why they are the big 3 - once again - not that they have been showing it all season long.

the angels have a better road than home record - so playing in oakland isn't all that bad. the a's have a great home record - so being in oakland isn't that bad, either.

i sense the first 2 games will be split - making for a winner-take-all sunday tilt - and if that is the case - it would bring about a great sense of drama. i hope it doesn't happen since i have hoops games to ref from 2-7P (PDT) - or about 1 hour after these 2 throw first pitch.

something to keep in mind is the dodgers and angels have NEVER made it to the post-season together. the closest was in 1995 when the dodgers made it - and the angels gagged away a big lead then lost a one-game playoff to the M's and randy johnson. the dodgers are not 100% in - but even if they get swept at home they would still have to lose a 1 game playoff monday. so, in other words, the dodgers are going to the playoffs. i'll say the trend/pattern continues and that once again the dodgers and angels fail to both make the post-season together.

Oakland is your 2004 AL West Champs and will host the Bosox in G1 (a series they will lose - while i believe the Angels would beat the Bosox).

 

[stef]

Would of thought things would have set up well for the A's with the Big 3 going, but NOT. They be better off with their 4th and 5th starter going. I am thinking the Angels get them with Dotel probally blowing a save (he is money on those). And if the A's make it, totally agree the Soxes take them out and the Yanks take out the Twins and we will be back to more of the Yanks and Soxs brawls.

 

[blueedwards]

i like the halos. they are playing better baseball. vald is on fire. they have colon and escobar pitching 2 of 3.

it may be 2002 all over again.

 

[booze]

Question for you guys....I've got the Angels at 3-1 to win the AL west. Should I play a small hedge with the A's to win this series @ -140 or just let it ride? Had the Angels won/ or Oakland lost yesterday I would've been in great shape....now pretty iffy.

 

[blueedwards]

i'd let it ride. i think you're in good shape. if you do hedge it, only do it so you get your stake back if the a's win. if you hedge more, you'll be kicking yourself when the angels come in.

 

[booze]

thx Blue, I agree with you about killing my profits if I hedge, but I just don't feel confident if it comes down to Washburn v. Hudson on Sunday. Hopefully Colon & Escobar step it up and I don't have to worry about it!

 

[blueedwards]

how you feeling now booze?:aktion033

 

[BoZZi]

the al west will be decided on sunday....i like the a's chances against a pitcher who rarely gets runsupport....3 runs for the a's should be enough.

now sunday will be a tough one unless hudson had become the old himself.

 

[booze]

Like a winner....thanks blue:drink: