Joe Saunders takes the mound tonight for what could be a possible postseason preview between the Angels and Yankees. The Angels have not had much trouble with the Yankees in the past, but this is a new Yankee team with a different manager. This team is more aggressive, and as Torii Hunter says, “they have a fire in them that I didn’t see last year.” It will be important for the Angels to keep the Yankees from building to much confidence against them for the playoffs.

The Yankees are definitely out to prove something this year, but so are the Angels. In fact, maybe more so. The Angels are currently fourth on ESPN’s power rankings, but have been higher than that for most of the second half of the season. An yet the story of the year seems to be the Yankees, Dodgers, and Cardinals. Yahoo Sports is really the only site that has given the Angels there fair share. Even so, I think Mike Scioscia and Angels prefer it that way. Without the spotlight the team can focus on the prize: another World Series.

Things to look for:

Kendry Morales has been in a major September slump, and in the last week he is hitting .138 with 12 stikeouts. He may have ruined his MVP chances, but look for him to try and gain some momentum for the playoffs.

Right now Scott Kazmir has the lead on a three way playoff rotation spot. Saunders had a rough last outing, so look for him to rebound tonight. There is still a chance Scioscia goes four deep, but it’s unlikely.

Pitching Match-ups:

Game 1: Saunders (13-7, 4.75 era) v. Pettitte (13-6, 4.14 era)

Game 2: Santana (7-8, 5.43 era) v. Gaudin (5-10, 4.81 era)

Game 3: Kazmir (9-8, 5.08 era) v. Burnett (11-9, 4.22 era)

The Angels have been hurting all year from a usually dependable pitching staff. Injuries and inconsistancies have seriously worried loyal Angel fans. Just when it looked liked they were going to have to head into the postseason hoping for the best, the Halos snagged the 2007 American League Strikeout Champ (239) and two-time All-Star Scott Kazmir for two minor leaguers recent call-up Sean Rodriguez. Let’s take a look at why this was such a steal.

“Rico Suave,” a nickname given to him by his teammates in Tampa Bay, was born on January 24, 1984, in Houston, Texas. He was a dual sport athlete, showcasing his powerful arm as both a quarterback in football and pitcher in baseball. On the mound, Kazmir modeled himself after Nolan Ryan, as well as hard throwing lefty Billy Wagner. He started to make a name for himself while at Cypress Falls High School, throwing four consecutive no-hitters as a junior. In 2002, Kazmir’s senior year, he struck out 172 batters in 75 innings, accumulating an 11-2 record with a 0.37 ERA. He now holds the strikeout record for the state of Texas, a title formally held by Josh Beckett. That year, he would be named Basaeball America’s High School Player of the Year, as well as receive First-Team High School All-American honors with teammate Clint Everts along with several others, such as Prince Fielder, James Loney, Cole Hamels, and B.J. Upton. Though Kazmir had verbally committed to the University of Texas, he entered the 2002 draft, where he would be selected 15th overall by the New York Mets, ten spots behind Everts. He was projected to go higher, but several teams passed on Kazmir because of his high price tag set by agent Scott Boras. Regardless, Everts and Kazmir became the fourth pair of pitchers from the same high school to be drafted in the first round.

Before Kazmir headed to New York, he was asked to pitch on the U.S. Junior Olympic team in Cuba. He was able to strike out 33 batters in 16 innings and did it while getting sick from the water, causing him to lose 10 pounds. His team would go on to win the silver, one year before teammate Kendry Morales helped his Cuban team win a gold medal.

Kamir made some waves in the minor leagues with the Mets, but didn’t make it to Citi Field in a New York uniform. In 2004, he was a piece of a controversial trade that sent to him to Tampa Bay and brought Victor Zambrano to the Mets. Whoops…

Kazmir pitched 33 innings in 2004 for the Rays, striking out 41, but ended with a 5.67 ERA. He played his first full season in 2005 with 32 starts and a 10-9 record. In 2006, he became the one of the youngest opening day starters since 1986. Kazmir had less innings and 8 fewer starts, but his franchise-low 3.24 ERA earned him his first All-Star nomination. In 2007, he didn’t get a nod for his second All-Star game, but he did end the season with his best record (13-9) and most innings (206.2). He also struck out 239 batters, becoming the AL strikeout champ. He became an All-Star again after another impressive 2008 season (12-8, 152in 166K).

Sco-Kaz actually started the year on the disabled list, and didn’t help the Rays when he came back. He was sent back to the DL after a terrrible 4-4, 7.69 ERA. It was the first time in Kazmir’s career that he had higher than a 3.77 ERA since being named a full time starter in 2005. When Kazmir came back to the Rays in late June, he was able to lower his ERA 2 points to a 5.92. While he had flashes of his old self, he was a huge buy-low candidate, which is exactly what the Angels did.

Since coming over to the Angels, Kazmir has two starts against the Seattle Mariners, and despite his 0-1 record, he has only allowed 2 earned runs in 13 innings while striking out 12.

If the Angels decide to use Kazmir in their postseason rotation, they will count on his experience when he went to the World Series last year. Don’t let his high ERA mislead you. He’s a 25-year-old monster who, when healthy, has a sub-4 ERA and can strike out guys by the dozens. The Angels needed started pitching this year, and they got some help in the form of Rico Suave.

-Kevin H.

September is here and in the next couple weeks, Mike Scioscia will look to adjust the rotation for the playoffs. This will obviously be done with caution as Texas is still breathing down our necks. So the question is: What will the Angels playoff rotation look like?

Typically in a five game series, a team will go with a three man rotation, but Mike Scioscia, because of our depth, will have the option of going with four. I understand that many of you believe that John Lackey has lost his playoff magic, but he will be our number one. There is still no one I would rather have in a big game than Big John. I understand his Josh Beckett match-ups have been ugly, but he will always keep you in the game.

The number two slot is where the question lies. Because of the year he is having Jered Weaver will be in the playoff rotation but I’m not sure if he will be in the two slot. Scioscia may want to mix it up with a lefty which leaves us two options, Joe Saunders and Scott Kazmir. I think it will come down to last minute decision. If the Angels lose game one, Scioscia may want to go with Weaver. Also, if the Angels play the Red Sox, game three will be at Fenway where Kazmir has had a lot of success.

So where does that leave Saunders and Ervin Santana? It looks like they will come out of the bullpen. The great thing about the Angels rotation though is that this could change. It’s a good problem to have.

Rotation Projections for the Division Series.

Angels vs. Red Sox

Game 1 @LA - John Lackey
Game 2 @LA - Jered Weaver
Game 3 @BOS - Scott Kazmir

Angels vs. Tigers

Game 1 @LA - John Lackey
Game 2 @LA - Scott Kazmir
Game 3 @DET - Jered Weaver

A few days ago I wrote an article asking for some much needed pitching help. Well, once again Tony Reagins has come through with a potential star. Now there are some concerns. Scott Kazmir has been injured much of the season, and when healthy he has not performed as he usually does. This is a high risk high reward kind of trade; however, the Angels really didn’t have to give up much so it was well worth it.

The Angels have used a major league record 13 starters this season. Many have come though, such as Matt Palmer, many have not. With Joe Saunders back strong there was really only one spot to filll in the rotation.

So what are we getting. Yes, Scott Kazmir, when healthy, is a solid starting pitcher. A potential ace. The Angels however, are pretty full of solid staring pitching. I don’t have to tell you that our problem is recent years has been losing to the damn Red Sox, and this year, losing to the Texas Rangers. Well, Scott Kazmir have a career 3.59 era against the Red Sox, and a career 2.28 era against the Rangers. In addition, Kazmir started game one of the World Series last year and was outstanding in the playoff.

So we now have a potential ace with proven success in the playoff for a low 12 million next season and three no name minor leaguers. This was a home run for the Angels. Yet another sign that the Angels just might be this years team of destiny.

- Tony C