Baseball Jesus + best bullpen = win

by Adrian Spinelli

LOS ANGELES — There was a time from 2002-2007 or so (let’s call this the Scot Shields era for all intents and purposes) when the Angels bullpen was flat-out nasty. Mike Scioscia’s bullpens were known for “shortening the game,” meaning that if the Angels got to the 7th inning with a lead, their back-end bullpen arms (which featured setup man Shields as a constant) would bring the game home. It’s been a long time since the Halos had a bullpen to brag about. In fact, their bullpen woes have largely been the reason why the team hadn’t made the playoffs since 2009. Until now.

Boasting a major league-best 98 wins this year, the Angels enter the playoffs as the American League’s top seed, with home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. They’ve made it their business to shorten games and let the bullpen take pressure off of their starting rotation. A mid-season trade for closer Huston Street (1.71 ERA) from San Diego gave the Halos a bona-fide bullpen ace to pair with lights out setup man Joe Smith (1.81 ERA), mid-season acquisition Jason Grilli (3.48 ERA) and homegrown talent, Kevin Jepsen (2.84 ERA). It’s a formula that’s hasn’t just led to the best record in baseball, but also allowed the Angels to stay in games and lead the league in come-from-behind wins.

The Angels will host either the A’s or the Royals in the best-of-five ALDS starting this Friday. They’ll be sending veterans Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson to the hill in Games 1 and 2, with rookie 16-game winner Matt Shoemaker slated to pitch Game 3 following an injury that sidelined him for the season’s final two weeks. All three have gone deep into games regularly this season and will stack up nicely against either opponent’s top three. Shoemaker is an X-factor of sorts, as five of his 12 post-All-Star game starts have been of the scoreless variety.

OK, OK … I give in — time to talk about Mike Trout and the Angels offense. Yes, a lockdown bullpen is a major part of a World Series equation, but having the best player in baseball leading the number-one offense in the game doesn’t hurt either. It’s not just Trout’s AL-leading 115 runs and 111 RBI to go with his 36 HR’s and .939 OPS that make him an elite talent. It’s also the way he’s gelled with Albert Pujols. There’s a distinct chemistry in the Angels lineup and it’s led by the 23-year-old Trout and the 34-year-old Pujols.

Trout will be getting his first taste of the playoffs. Or better yet, the playoffs will be getting their first taste of Mike Trout. How the soon-to-be AL MVP performs will go a long way in deciding how far this team goes. This enough is reason to follow along and watch. Will Trout be the guy who led the majors with a 7.9 WAR? Or will he feel the jitters and become the guy who struck out a major league-leading 184 times?

One thing’s for sure: He’ll certainly be the most scrutinized player of them all come playoff time. And if he truly is the best player on the planet, then methinks we haven’t seen all of his tricks yet.

National League

Our Nationals pastime
WTOP Sports’ Jonathan Warner discusses how the Washington Nationals have all the ingredients to win: pitching, defense, hitting, power and speed.
Another title in the Cards
WTOP Traffic’s Rich Hunter says emerging young talents and experienced players and management will help bring it all together and give the St. Louis Cardinals another world title.
It’s time for Dodger Baseball
WTOP Reporter Andrew Mollenbeck shares how he accidentally fell in love with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Buctober
WTOP Sports’ J. Brooks says the Pittsburgh Pirates have promise and how a with a win in the Wild Card Game, they would give the Nationals a run for their money.
Together, we can be Giant again
WTOP Assistant Editor Joey Kahn looks at how the San Francisco Giants will win in 2014 after World Series victories in 2012 in 2010.

American League

There’s no place like hO’me
WTOP Assistant Editor Samantha Loss, a lifelong Baltimore Orioles fan shares her thoughts on why the team will come out on top.
Motor City madness in D.C.
WTOP News Director Mitch Miller shares why the Detroit Tigers will motor through the tournament and eliminate the competition.
We’ll always be Royal
WTOP Reporter Megan Cloherty shares why the Kansas City Royals deserve to make it to the World Series.
This is Oakland
WTOP Sports Editor Noah Frank discusses the history of the Oakland A’s and what makes them a team competitors shouldn’t discount.