Angels still in control

Baseball Betting Lines

06/15/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue to dominate the competition, as they now own the most victories in the majors this season at 42-25. The Angels have won nine of their last 12 contests and now hold a five-game lead over the Seattle Mariners and Oakland A's in the American League West standings.

Anaheim has been particularly outstanding at home this season, having posted a 24-9 ledger, and has not lost a home series since early May.

The Angels are currently in the middle of a 15-game interleague stretch that began last weekend, when the Angels took two out of three games from the St. Louis Cardinals. After a much-needed day off on Monday, the Angels got right back to work by taking a three-game set from the Cincinnati Reds.

Anaheim relied on its high-powered lineup during the Reds series, compiling 18 runs during the three games.

After a disappointing 5-3 loss in Tuesday's opener, the Angels bounced back to capture a 6-3 win on Wednesday night. Starter John Lackey posted another solid performance, allowing just three runs -- one earned -- on three hits through six innings. The bullpen took it from there, as Francisco Rodriguez came on to collect his 20th save of the season.

Anaheim supported Lackey at the plate, totaling 11 hits in the win. Orlando Cabrera led the way, going 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored.

The Angels got right back to work on Thursday, downing the Reds 9-7 in the series finale.

Right-hander Bartolo Colon struggled a bit, but still managed to come away with a win. He was tagged for five runs (four earned) through six innings. The bullpen pulled through once again, setting up Rodriguez for his second save of the series.

Anaheim collected 11 hits in the victory and was led by Casey Kotchman, who went 3-for-5 at the plate with a double and a RBI.

Following Wednesday's win, Manager Mike Scioscia noted the emergence of the Angels' lineup during the month of June.

"When we're going good, that's the type of lineup we have," Scioscia said. "We have to be more than the middle of the lineup, and the past month we have been."

BULLPEN GETTING STRONGER AS SEASON HEATS UP

Nothing is more important to the success of a baseball team than the health and play of its bullpen. The Angels control their own destiny at this point in the season, but still have a very long way to go before they can even think about the playoffs. However, the team's confidence is high, as the Angels' bullpen has come together to form one of the most dangerous pitching staffs in the majors.

Anaheim's bullpen contains a pitcher for every situation. First there is Scot Shields, who is regarded by many as one of the best set-up men in the major leagues. He has 16 holds so far this season after leading the majors with 31 a year ago.

Shields is explosive in the late innings, which has enabled Scioscia to control the amount of pitches his starters are throwing. Instead of stretching his starting rotation into the seventh and eighth innings, Scioscia has opted to allow his bullpen to finish games. This confidence boost has improved the play of the bullpen while also keeping the starters from burning out.

Aside from Shields, the Angels can also rely on right-hander Dustin Moseley, who has accumulated a 4-1 record with a 2.34 ERA in 19 appearances this season. A former starter, Moseley has developed into a solid long reliever if the Angels' starting rotation should run into some trouble. Mix in Chris Bootcheck and situational left-hander Darren Oliver, and the Angels have a reliable arm no matter the situation.

While the middle relievers and setup men solidify the core of a successful bullpen, it is the closer who ultimately determines the team's overall success. Enter Rodriguez, one of the game's best who has notched 21 out of 22 possible save opportunities this season.

Rodriguez has separated himself from the pack over the last few years, leading the league in saves in each of the past two seasons. The hard-throwing right- hander is anchoring the bullpen once again this year, but is more than willing to pronounce his confidence in himself and Shields.

"For a one-two punch out there, we don't act cocky and say that we're the best," said Rodriguez about Shields and himself. "Let the numbers tell the story. (Shields) has been the leader in holds and I've been the leader in saves. Numbers talk for themselves."

ANGELS ADD ARMS IN DRAFT

Although they possess one of the premier pitching staffs in the majors, the Angels decided to add some young arms in this year's draft. Anaheim used their first two picks to select right-hander Jon Bachanov and Matt Harvey.

Bachanov, from University High School in Orlando, Florida, was taken with the 58th overall pick and considered by many to be a steal at that spot. The hard- throwing right-hander was projected to go much higher in the draft, but may have slipped because of possible signing problems. Bachanov is represented by agent Scott Boras and is rumored to be asking for a very lucrative signing bonus. However, the Angels could not pass on the high school phenom, especially since the team did not have a pick in the first round.

Bachanov dominated the high school ranks this season, posting a 9-2 record with a 0.37 ERA and 103 strikeouts in just 65 innings. At 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds, the young hurler has plenty of room to grow and has already shown a major league fastball.

Although he has every intention of becoming a starter in the majors, many feel as though Bachanov could also develop into a premier closer at the next level. Angels scouting director Eddie Bane spoke about Bachanov's overwhelming strength on the mound.

"This guy is one of the real hard throwers in this draft," Eddie Bane said. "Jon's got an ultra-quick arm, and his velocity is definitely there at 95, 96 [mph]. He has a very aggressive delivery and he likes to throw hard."

As for Harvey, he was considered by many to be one of the best high school pitching prospects in the country. However, he is still very raw, which may have been why he fell to the Angels with the 118th pick. The fact that he's also a Boras client probably also played a role in his slide.

Harvey is an athlete who could end up at another position before all is said and done. The Angels took a chance on the 6-foot-4 right-hander from Fitch High School in Groton, Connecticut, but may have some trouble signing him before the August 15 deadline.

A University of North Carolina recruit, Harvey is expected to ask for big money despite falling and could opt to go the college route if the Angels are unable to get a deal done.

Harvey was 4-0 with a 0.45 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 31 innings this season.

The Angels also drafted catcher Matt Scioscia, son of manager Mike Scioscia, in the 41st round of the draft. Matt will put baseball off for a while, however, as he is scheduled to attend the University of Notre Dame in the fall on a football scholarship.

INJURY NEWS

Infielder Maicer Izturis, who is recovering from a hamstring injury, may be out longer than expected after straining an oblique muscle during his rehab assignment in Triple-A Salt Lake. The injury is not considered serious, but could delay Izturis' return to the Angels lineup.

Reliever Justin Speier is still recovering from a viral infection that has kept him sidelined since his last appearance on April 30th. Speier has been unable to train due to the illness, which could further prolong his return.

WHO'S HOT

Reggie Willits is one of the many Angels batting over .300 this season. The versatile outfielder is batting .323 on the year and has hit safely in seven of his last 10 games.

Lackey continues to shine, winning six of his last seven games. The right-hander is a leading candidate to start for the American League in the All-Star game, as he boasts a 10-4 record with a 2.53 ERA in 14 starts this season.

WHO'S NOT

Catcher Mike Napoli has hit a bit of a slump, going just 2-for-13 at the plate over his last four games. Although he is batting .254 on the year, Napoli has been inconsistent offensively, striking out 44 times in 146 at- bats.

ON DECK

The Angels will go on the road to face the crosstown rival Los Angeles Dodgers for a three game interleague set from Dodger Stadium this weekend. Ervin Santana (5-6, 5.26) will take on the Dodgers' Derek Lowe (6-6, 3.21) in Friday night's opener. Saturday's contest will feature Anaheim's Jered Weaver (5-3, 4.14) and Jason Schmidt (1-3, 6.43), before Kelvim Escobar (7-3, 2.89) and Dodgers lefty Randy Wolf (8-4, 4.06) square off in Sunday's finale.