The Los Angeles Angels have dominated the American League West recently, winning five of the last six division titles. Last year their 97-65 mark netted manager Mike Scioscia his second AL Manager of the Year award.
There has been a lot of turnover for this team heading into 2010, so can he keep the Angels winning? Let's take a look at the team and their season win total projections.
Pitching
John Lackey has left for the Boston Red Sox, leaving Jered Weaver as the team's ace. Last year he looked more than capable of filling the role when he won 16 games and posted a 3.75 ERA.
Joe Saunders is another capable hurler who went 17-7 with a 3.41 ERA in 2008 and came back in 2009 to go 16-7 with a 4.60 ERA.
Ervin Santana had some health problems last year, but if he can duplicate his 2008 line of 16-7 with a 3.49 ERA, Angel fans will be more than happy.
Scott Kazmir had a down year but expect a rebound from him after posting ERAs of 3.49 or better in both 2007 and 2008.
Joel Pineiro was signed in the spring and will be the No. 5 starter. The bullpen has depth with Brian Fuentes, Fernando Rodney, and Scot Shields, but none of these guys are what I would call a lock-down closer.
Lineup
Last year, 11 different Angels finished with at least 50 RBI so it's no wonder the team set a franchise record with 883 runs scored. Kendry Morales exploded onto the scene with 34 home runs and 108 RBI to finish fifth in AL MVP voting. Bobby Abreu lived up to his contract by chipping in 103 RBI and 30 stolen bases to go with his .293 average.
Mike Napoli has posted back-to-back seasons with more than 20 home runs at the catcher position. Howie Kendrick batted .351 in the second half and will play 2B. Brandon Wood replaces the departed Chone Figgins at 3B, and at SS, Erick Aybar is coming off a season in which he hit .312.
Joining Abreu in the outfield will be Torii Hunter and Juan Rivera. Hunter hit .299 last year while Rivera hit .287. Hideki Matsui was signed to fill the DH role left void by the departure of Vlad Guerrero.
Prediction
The baseball odds show this team projected at 84.5 wins. Find out why I think they win the West again in my 2010 Los Angeles Angels predictions article. If you want daily baseball picks then sign up at my site and get game-by-game insights all season long.
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