Prediction: World Series Champ 2008

[Reggie Miller]

the fact that the angels have the best record in baseball yet is behind the lead in run differential shows how well the team finishes a game. you have a lopsided game with a 7-0 lead and the opposing pitcher might have to take it for the team and keep pitching to save the bullpen for the next game. Angels having a winning record against the East and Central just proved how good they are. they have a winning record at home, road, and most importantly against >.500 teams.

pitching wins in the post season. ask the red sox with beckett and schilling. ask the dbacks with schilling and johnson.

A quick glance at the stats suggests that they have really piled it on some bad teams. Otherwise, the Angels' run differential would be even worse. They have already outperformed their projection by 10 games. (The projection assumed offensive offense, if you will pardon the bad humor.)

I agree pitching wins in the postseason, and the Angels are where they are today based on their arms. On the other hand, do you really want Vlad to be your best offensive player? That would scare the out of me (as an Angels' fan).

I keep thinking about the 2005 ALCS. When the Angels' lineup ran into premier pitching, they had no answer whatsoever. Three years ago would normally mean diddley, but the Angels lineup is actually much weaker this year and features many of the same guys (only older).

I have nothing against the Angels. God knows I would rather see them in the World Series over anyone but the White Sox. My lifelong dream is to have the Cubs defeat the White Sox for the WS in a deciding game at Wrigley. I don't even hate the White Sox like most Cubs' fans, but growing up, neither team had even sniffed a championship since the demise of the Edsel.

[turiaf for president]

A quick glance at the stats suggests that they have really piled it on some bad teams. Otherwise, the Angels' run differential would be even worse. They have already outperformed their projection by 10 games. (The projection assumed offensive offense, if you will pardon the bad humor.)

I agree pitching wins in the postseason, and the Angels are where they are today based on their arms. On the other hand, do you really want Vlad to be your best offensive player? That would scare the out of me (as an Angels' fan).

I keep thinking about the 2005 ALCS. When the Angels' lineup ran into premier pitching, they had no answer whatsoever. Three years ago would normally mean diddley, but the Angels lineup is actually much weaker this year and features many of the same guys (only older).

I have nothing against the Angels. God knows I would rather see them in the World Series over anyone but the White Sox. My lifelong dream is to have the Cubs defeat the White Sox for the WS in a deciding game at Wrigley. I don't even hate the White Sox like most Cubs' fans, but growing up, neither team had even sniffed a championship since the demise of the Edsel.

that arguement can be made against the redsox this year. with a banged up beckett, and dice k sliding a bit down the stretch, the angels have a superior pitching staff. bostons lineup is better but vlad texiera and hunter have been getting it done all year so why not now? its not like they are like A rod and shrink in the post season

[Reggie Miller]

that arguement can be made against the redsox this year. with a banged up beckett, and dice k sliding a bit down the stretch, the angels have a superior pitching staff. bostons lineup is better but vlad texiera and hunter have been getting it done all year so why not now? its not like they are like A rod and shrink in the post season

Again, I don't want to be seen as heaping crap on the Angels. They earned their record (see above posts).

The Red Sox have real hitters who can do damage up and down their lineup. Losing Ramirez is nothing to sneeze at, and I think people keep mentally filling him into that lineup. Guess what? You don't replace that production, and some of Boston's run differential is now garbage, to be honest.

Even then, the Angels' offense would still concern me. Anderson is a s of himself. Vlad can be relied upon to hack like it's April well into October. Do I need to provide more examples?

The Angels could win it all, and I wouldn't call it luck. OTOH, it would require the hitters to start peaking right about now. As in, the sooner the better!

[Brodels]

If at least one of Drew and Lowell is available and productive, the Red Sox. If not, the lovable losers from the north side.

[AFBlue]

I didn't vote for the Rays b/c I'm a bit supers ous, but I think they've got a legit shot.

They play solid defense, don't rely on one or two players to get it done, have a decent bullpen, are well coached, and have alot of momentum and team chemistry going into the post season.

It would seem that this team is too young and inexperienced, but they've been stepping up in tight spots all year and pulling it out. Obviously October is something new, but I think the Rays just might have what it takes.

[Reggie Miller]

I didn't vote for the Rays b/c I'm a bit supers ous, but I think they've got a legit shot.

They play solid defense, don't rely on one or two players to get it done, have a decent bullpen, are well coached, and have alot of momentum and team chemistry going into the post season.

It would seem that this team is too young and inexperienced, but they've been stepping up in tight spots all year and pulling it out. Obviously October is something new, but I think the Rays just might have what it takes.

They're certainly no fluke, as some still seem to believe. I wouldn't be shocked if they won the WS. (I picked them to make it.)