The Los Angeles Angels have not been this excited since Danny Glover was their coach. I mean, sure they did win a World Series with Mike Scioscia, but this year, there have to be supernatural forces at work for Scioscia, otherwise there’s no possibility you can get the talent he inherited in just one offseason.
The pitching rotation is filthy and if the new acquisition of C.J. Wilson does anything that resembles last year’s statistics, it will be lights out for opposing hitters. Currently, MLB player props for Wilson have him at an over/under of 14.5 wins as well as with an over/under of a 3.3 ERA.
Kendry Morales could possibly return from being a professional rehab patient back to actual baseball again if he can pass a couple more tests. After a horrible freak accident following a home run celebration at home plate in which he broke his leg, Morales has had two surgeries and has yet to face live pitching in a game. A once thought to be a future MVP, Morales wants to be back on the field where he belongs. The problem is, where he belongs isn’t where he’s at now after the biggest free agent of the offseason in Albert Pujols, signed a deal with LA. So, he can either come back and hit .350 with 35 home runs to overtake the machine they call Albert or perhaps he might like to try another position. With the luxury of having Morales, Pujols can hit in the designated hitter spot, something he isn’t used to doing in the National League.
The young talent of Maicer Izturis, Erick Aybar, Jordan Walden, Mike Trout, and Mark Trumbo also has everyone in the front office screaming out of windows, “No you won’t!”, whatever that means. Veteran help from Torii Hunter and Bobby Abreu will allow the younger players a smooth transition to the later stages of their career.
Current odds to win the World Series (found at Bovada) has givens the Angels 7/1 odds to win a championship, tied for second with the Yankees and only behind the Phillies.
If the starting rotation pitches as well as the stats would lead us to believe and anybody gets on base for Pujols, the Texas Rangers will be saying “dag nab it” come October.
My x-factor for the team is the young shortstop Erick Aybar. Last year, Aybar was able to create offense by getting on base and managed a decent run total despite having no power to drive him in. This year, Pujols will be changing a lot of that.
Los Angeles Angels 2012 World Series Odds & Other Betting Lines – found at Bovada
Angels Odds To Win 2012 World Series: +700 (7/1)
Angels Odds To Win 2012 AL Pennant: +350 (7/2)
Angels Odds To Win 2012 AL West: -125 (4/5)
Angels Over/Under Regular Season Win Total: Over 91.5 Wins (-135) / Under 91.5 Wins (+105)
Angels vs. Rangers Regular Season Series Winner: Angels (-115) / Rangers (-115)
Angels vs. Athletics Regular Season Series Winner: Angels (-300) / Athletics (+240)