For now, Mike Scioscia has decided to use both Brian Fuentes and Kevin Jepsen in save situations. This is an unusual situation for the Angels. In the past we have always had a natural progression. In 2002 we had Troy Percival, who made you nervous at times, but always got the job down. Waiting in the wings was Franky. When Franky took over we had Scott Shields who could have easily done the job. And last year it looked like Jose Arredondo was runner-up. Angels fans are used to a near guaranteed victory after the sixth inning. Now we have a situation with a very shaky closer who does have over 40 saves, and a guy in Kevin Jepsen who is clearly ready to get in the mix.

Many believe Scioscia is simply hiding Jepsen and going to release him into the closer role when it matters, October. Others think Scioscia always sticks with his veterans, for better or for worse, and this situation will be no different. I have always believed that baseball is stuck with this closer position. Closers are usually, with one or two exceptions, over paid and overrated. The ideal way to bring your reliever in is when you can him the best match-ups. Why should the closer role be any different. Major League Baseball is becoming too caught up with star power and it’s just unnecessary.

I don’t believe the closer situation will change at all from the way it is now. If the Red Sox have the top of their lineup coming up in the ninth, that will likely consist of Jacoby Ellsbury and David Ortiz, two lefties. Perfect situation for Brian Fuentes. So we end up with closer by committee, which what most teams should have anyway.

Closer by committee seems to be Mike Scioscia’s temporary solution the end of game blunders that previously affected the Angels. Last night Scioscia brought in Kevin Jepsen to face the right hander, Jason Bay, and he struck him out. He then brought in Brian Fuentes to finish out the game. In addition Scioscia brought in Reggie Willits at the end of the game and kept him at left for Juan Rivera. Maybe a message?

The reason I say temporary solution is because Kevin Jepsen, or Jose Arredondo if he get out of this mental funk, will be the closer of the future. As we saw last night Jepsen came in and struck out probably the Red Sox best hitter with some nasty pitches, including a 98 mph fastball. Brian Fuentes just seems like a very good set-up guy. Not necessarily a closer.

In the end the Angels won. They defended, they pitched, and most of all they played aggressive. This could have something to do with Torii Hunter’s Comment that the teamed choked and they were playing nervous. He sure is a great addition to this team, isn’t he?

I know all you Angels fans are hurting this morning, so let’s talk about it. The Angels blew another game to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. I’m not sure if there is something in the air there, but this was disappointing to say the least. It’s not as if we are losing every game there, because last year we had a very good record at Fenway, but when it comes to the close games we can’t seem to finish. So what happened?

Blown Calls

Brian Fuentes loaded the bases in the ninth inning and the umpires blew it. The first call was the should have been check swing, and the second and most important was the ball called that was right down the heart of the plate. Whether it was low or not the batter should have been called out for not swinging at that pitch. There is no doubt about it, the umpires choked. So it was the umpires who lost the game right?

Closer Controversy

You can’t escape the fact that Brian Fuentes came in and loaded the bases. Now I don’t know about you, but when a save opportunity comes around I don’t really feel comfortable with Fuentes coming into the game. I like Fuentes and want him to succeed, but Kevin Jepsen will be the closer eventually. Maybe we should think about sooner rather than later. So Brian Fuentes lost the game right?

Lazy Rivera

The blooper hit into left field to end the game should have been caught. It was two feet away from him. DIVE! I hope we are not getting a glimpse of the new Garret Anderson in left field. Juan Rivera has been great offensively this year, but he can be lazy out there. I can’t tell you how many times I have seen him not turn his body to run back on a ball and try and catch it over his head. They call what he did Big League’n it. So it was Rivera who lost the game right?

Bottom Line

I’m not sure there is one specific person to blame for this loss. The fact is they shouldn’t have been in the situation we were in in the first place. The Angels had multiple chances to keep leads and take bigger leagues. This was a team effort and they better figure this Fenway curse out before October.

Last week, Mike Scioscia threatened a shake up if the team didn’t turn things around, and that shakeup happened over the weekend. Howie Kendrick (.231, 4HR 22RBI) has been officially optioned to triple A and Sean Rodriguez (’09 stats - 205AB, .273, 21HR 60RBI 6SB) has been brought to the majors. Also, Scott Shields (6.62ERA, 15BB 12K) is to have season ending surgery on his right knee after a brief stint on the DL with patellar tendinitis in his left knee, and Kelvim Escobar (0-1, 3.60ERA) is taking his spot in the bullpen. This is all in addition to last week’s demotion of Jose Arredondo (5.55ERA, 12BB 27K) and promotion of Kevin Jepsen (’09 stats - 18in, 9.00ERA, 16BB 20K). The Angels have a bit of a new look.

These were all surprises, but the biggest shocker to me was that Rodriguez was called up rather than Brandon Wood (’09 stats - 175AB, .297, 14HR 36RBI). Yes, Sean Rodriguez has been hot of late and he plays second base, but Brandon Wood is the guy. I’m guessing this was because Scioscia didn’t want Howie and Sean splitting time in triple A, but it still would have been nice to see Figgins slide over to second base with Brandon Wood at third. We’ll see how it works out. Scioscia is usually right.

It is sad to see Scott Shields gone, but Escobar and Jepsen should help stabilize our bullpen. This weekend of moves resulted in a sweep of the San Diego Padres (28-34). Hopefully it will continue.

By: Tony C

The Angels made a move today, sending Jose Arredondo (1-3, 5.55ERA) to Triple A Salt Lake City and bringing up Kevin Jepsen (1-0, 9.00ERA) who has not returned to the Major League level since his injury.  Arrendondo has been struggling mightily this year, especially considering how lights-out he was last year.  His 5.55 era is just not going to cut it with the problems the Angels have had with their bullpen.

Despite this roster move, this will not be the last we see of Arredondo.   He is still a potential closer of the future and simply needs to work on his mechanics.  This move should be good for him in the long run.

The more interesting aspect of this move is bringing up Kevin Jepsen.  He had struggled at both the Major and Minor League level this season.  He gave up runs in each of his last two outings in triple A.  This is a case where we have to trust management, because on paper, it doesn’t look good.  The good news is, Jepsen was very solid when he was called up last year, so if he can regain that form, he can really help the Angels.

By: Tony C