LA Angels & New York Yankees ALCS Predictions
Freddy Wills takes a look at the 2009 ALCS with this preview on the Angels and Yankees. If you want the best chance of winning this post-season, then get signed up for a package of his MLB picks today. If you are looking for a great book to place your wagers, Bodog offers our readers an UNLIMITED 10% signup bonus along with dime lines.
Both Bobby Abreu and Derek Jeter are their several teams most valueable player’s in my opinion. Abreu is a large under the radar type guy and is an ex-Yankee. Might he get his retaliation in this series as the Yankees opted not to re-sign him at the close of his contract. Abreu was the catalyst for any come from behind victory for the Angels with his ability to get on base. He was 5-9 with 4 runs, 4 walks, and an RBI against the Red Sox. I don’t reckon Jeter needs any presentation, but he was 4-10 with 4 runs, 3 walks, and 3 RBI’s against the Twins. Both players I would not mind putting my sports betting advice behind with my sports picks.
The MLB lines on the series between the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Yankees show the Yankees as -167 chalk to advance to the World Series.
Pitching
The Yankees have the best overall starter in CC Sabathia, who was 12-2 since the All-Star break. After that the Yankees go to A.J. Burnett, Andy Pettite, and Joba or Chad Gaudin who was very sound down the stretch. It’s been said that New York might go to a three man rotation with Sabathia starting game 4 and game 7. Pitching on short rest would be nothing new for Sabathia as he did so on a regular basis down the stretch for Milwaukee last season in dominant fashion. However, against the Angels this year Sabathia was 0-2 with a 6.08 ERA as the Angels hit lefties very well you have to ask that if he starts three games the Angels should be able to pick up at least one win.
For the Angels it begins with John Lackey and then Jered Weaver then comes Scott Kazmir and Joe Saunders. The keys are with Weaver who has struggled on the road before, but has been steady at home. Can he pitch well as the visitor, that will be the question. Also Kazmir has a career 2.67 ERA and they may be waiting for him to slow down the left handed power bats in the Yankees line up. Starting pitching definitely goes to the Angels in this match up for me.
Bullpen advantage to the Yankees. Seems very apparent with the best closer in league history and playoff history in the closer role for the Yankees in Mariano Rivera. Yankees were ranked 14th in MLB in bullpen ERA while the Angels ranked 23rd. It seems as though the Yankees will continue to use Joba out of the pen giving them a very solid top 3 relievers in Joba, Hughes, and Rivera to close out games. However, the Angels bullpen led round one in bullpen ERA as Fuentes saved two games against the Red Sox and they collectively had 1.42 ERA giving up a total of just six base runners on 4 hits and 2 walks. The Yankees come in second with a 1.80 ERA, but foes are hitting .341 and I think the Angels who have good bats could do some damage.
Edge: Angels
Hitting
From top to bottom the Angels have potent hitters in terms of getting on base. They may not pose a power threat with home runs compared to the Yankees who have hit 71 more home runs than the Angels, but the Angels led the Majors in hitting with a .285 average.
Yankees actually are ranked second and nine points in front of the next team in the league on the list with a .283 average just two points behind the Angels. As I remarked the Yankees hit 71 more home runs and many could say it’s because of their home stadium, but they have several sluggers such as Nick Swisher who hit more home runs as a visitor opposed to at home. Yankees have the leagues highest OPS at .839 as they walked 663 times this year compared to the Angels 547.
Plainly we are considering some top-notch hitters in this series and it should be a lot of fun. Nonetheless, the edge will have to go to the Yankees. They have arguably the best post season and clutch batter ever in Derek Jeter and their power to hit a home run and change the game is throughout their batting order.
Edge: Yankees
Intangibles:
Most teams might be a little overtaken by playing at Yankee stadium in the playoffs. However, the Angels are not. They were unphased in Boston when they came from two runs behind to win versus one of MLB’s best closers Johnathan Paplebon.
Actually the Angels are the only team in the American League with a winning record over the past nine years vs. the Yankees and the Angels were responsible for eliminating the Yankees in the 2005 playoffs.
While the Angels have the emotion and heart and the will to win this one as they are playing for their SP Nick Adenhart who died earlier this season they do not have the edge with all of the presence the Yankees have including the leadership between Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Yankees have to be charged in the fact that Alex Rodriguez finally got over his playoff slumps as he hit .455 with six RBI’s in the ALDS.
The point is he is no longer the savior in the lineup with Texeira hitting right behind him. Teixera like Abreu will be confronting his past team and it should make the series that much more fascinating.
Edge: Yankees
Pick: Yankees in 7 games I suppose it’s time for the Yankees to get back to the World Series. It will be an entertaining series when they face off against their former coach Joe Torre if the Dodgers also come through. This series will be one of the better ones of all time. I think the Angels are still not getting enough respect and they can certainly steal a game or two in New York which will make this series all that much more fascinating. If you are one to play series prices the value is certainly on the Angels side. Particularly with the success the Angels have had against Sabathia and in New York.
