“It’s totally different (than a few years ago) when John had to lead three young guys,” said Weaver. “For me, Saunders and Santana, he set a tone. Now we all know what it’s like. We all know what a playoff atmosphere is like. There’s nobody holding anybody’s hands anymore.”

The Angels stuck with their first night batting order.

Jeff Mathis was behind the plate again, having earned the lead spot at catcher over slugger Mike Napoli with his defensive skills. It didn’t hurt that his first at-bat of the season was a home run Monday. He hit safely again Tuesday.

Click here to read the full article – By GREGG PATTON of The Press-Enterprise

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Lost amidst a three-game sweep of the Red Sox and five relatively effective performances from the starting pitchers is a most unwelcome playoff trend for the Angels.

The Angels are again having difficulty hitting with runners in scoring position, going 4 for 18 in the first two games of the American League Championship Series against the Yankees. They were 3 for 15 in Saturday’s 4-3 13-inning loss in Game 2.

If the Angels are to salvage the ALCS, they’re going to need to start hitting in the clutch, beginning with Game 3 today at Angel Stadium.


Click here to read the full article – By MICHAEL BECKER of PE.com

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The Angels and Vladimir Guerrero shrugged off their postseason failures and swept away the Red Sox on Sunday, scoring three runs off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth inning to beat Boston 7-6 and advance to the AL championship series.

It was the first postseason sweep in Angels franchise history. And they did it against the team that has knocked them out of the playoffs the previous four times they met.

“I told you guys earlier: It’s going to be a different scene,” Hunter said in the clubhouse afterward. “Vladdy came through. That’s probably one of the biggest hits of his career. They’ve been waiting for him to do it, and he did it.”

Papelbon was one strike away from extending the series with three different batters, but Aybar singled on a two-strike pitch, Chone Figgins walked after fouling off a full-count offering and Bobby Abreu fouled off three straight pitches before doubling in one run.

Hunter was walked intentionally before Guerrero singled the first pitch to center and Figgins and Abreu raced home to give Los Angeles a 7-6 lead. Major league saves leader Brian Fuentes pitched the ninth, and when Aybar caught Dustin Pedroia’s popup to end the game, pumping his right arm even as he tracked the ball with his left, the Angels advanced.

“It’s nice to be going home and playing again, instead of going home and it’s over,” said pitcher John Lackey, who was part of the Angels teams that were eliminated by Boston in three times in the previous five years. “This is the most fun for me, and I’ve got a ring. That says a lot.”


Click here to read the full article – By JIMMY GOLEN of DailyDemocrat.com

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If the Angels are more successful this year in getting their speedsters on base, the Red Sox know they might be defenseless against the likes of Chone Figgins (42 stolen bases), Bobby Abreu (30), Torii Hunter (18), Erick Aybar (14) and Maicer Izturis (13).

Click here to read the full article – By MICHAEL BECKER of PE.com

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Left-handers Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders are scheduled to pitch Games 3 and 4, respectively, in Fenway Park, with right-hander Ervin Santana going to the bullpen for the first round.

The Angels will go with a 10-man pitching staff, with Brian Fuentes, Kevin Jepsen, Darren Oliver, Matt Palmer and, assuming he recovers from shoulder tightness that knocked him out of Saturday’s game, Jason Bulger joining Santana in the bullpen.

The bench will feature a third catcher — Bobby Wilson — outfielders Reggie Willits and Gary Matthews Jr., and corner infielder/outfielder Robb Quinlan, who edged out Brandon Wood for the final roster spot.

Willits, Scioscia said, “gives us versatility in that we can plug him into situations late, whether it’s to pinch-run, get a bunt down or play defense. He brings a lot there.”


Click here to read the full article – By Mike DiGiovanna of LAtimes.com

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But this year has been about the offense for the Angels, with the club leading the Majors in runs scored, while the starting pitching hasn’t been as strong.


Click here to read the full article – By Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com

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“It puts me in a certain class in the time I’ve been here, especially with the time I’ve missed the last two years,” Lackey said. “It means I’ve been out there, for the most part, and productive.”

Lackey has absorbed only 68 losses with his 99 wins, and his career ERA is 3.80 across 1,443 innings since making his Major League debut during the 2002 World Series championship run.

Click here to read the full article – By Lyle Spencer of MLB.com

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