Posts Tagged ‘Massachusetts’

End of the Road for Boston Woes OR Just the Beginning of Boston’s Road Woes Posted by Stacy Morrison in Los Angeles Angels July 20th, 2008

A few short months ago a la October, the Angels were basically running away from Fenway’s bombers with their proverbial tails between their legs.  After losing two series ending in sweeps to the Red Sox on two separate post-season occasions since the turn of the millennium, the Angels seemed to have their work cut out for them again in 08 if they wanted any chance at another World Series run.

The Angels have been, in their career, weak against the formidable Boston lineup.  It is because of this that so many sports writers have criticized the Angels’ management for not acquiring a more fear-inducing bat for the middle of the lineup to back Big Daddy Vladdy.  In fact, despite a successful first half, power rankings on ESPN still give little credence to the team and still stress this same overly-repetitive theme: “The Angels are the clear favorites in the AL West despite an offense that ranks 23rd in the majors in OPS and runs scored. Will they make a run at Mark Teixeira or Matt Holliday, or cling to the hope that starting pitching, a great closer and a flair for one-run victories can propel them deep into October?” (Crasnik’s “Starting 9” on ESPN.com).  Though that last little statement, ending in a rhetorical question, seems to be rather connotative of a negative sentiment, I beg to differ, and offer up a definite YES. Great pitching > great hitting.  Almost always. Read more