Boston vs. Angels. Angels AT Boston. Angels at FENWAY. None of that sounds good, at least to anyone who is an Angels fan.
Historically, the Angels have more than SUCKED against Boston’s power-house of offense, the one-two Papi-Manny assault, and even with Drew, Lugo, and YOOOOOOOOOUK… but put it AT Fenway, and it’s twice the horrific scene of brutality.
The best instance? Oh, maybe the playoff sweep in 2007? Oh, maybe the same playoff sweep in 2004? It has been a common plague of the Angels organization for several several years – and the fear for this season was that if something drastic didn’t happen in the off-season, that it would continue… something of a plague maybe?
So it has been the Angels staff’s epic journey to find a way to get passed Boston’s hitter’s game. By acquiring Torii Hunter to fill a bit of the power-bat gap they’ve complained about for the past few years, they looked to match wits, so to speak. I think Garland may have been a bit of a risk, in terms of playing Boston, since Garland’s pitching style lends itself to being hit, which is something Boston does exceedingly well. At least, however, he is a sinkerball pitcher, and can get the balls to stay in the park for the most part. But let’s not forget that Fenway is very much a hitter’s park, with a barely over 300-feet away left field “monster.”
- can I interrupt for a second? Good. I’m sorry, but I really think that atrocity they call the green monster, the one that runs around the stadium with that half screwed-up grin and that goofy look on his face, is the most ridiculously stupid thing I’ve ever seen. The end –
The Angels very rarely win at Fenway. And when I say barely, I mean maybe once in oh, a blue moon. And not the brand of beer. It was about 2001 or so since the Angels had one a series in Fenway. Yesterday’s game was nearly EPOCH.
It was almost like role reversal. Usually, it is the Angels who are having a difficult time defensively keeping the ball out of the strike zone or in the park, while offensively having difficulty getting the ball 100 feet out, let alone 300+ past the wall. When the Angels come to town, Boston’s fans can smell fear, like sharks in blood-infested waters. Usually, it’s a feeding frenzy. A total overkill, vicious slaughter… Good imagery, eh?
Oh. But not today, boys, not today!
Boston got to see it from the not-so-green side of the fence for once. The Angel’s bats were swinging, and more importantly, connecting. They’ve hit more home runs this series than I think I’ve ever seen them hit at Fenway (really – I can’t think of one right now). The defense was on. Erick Aybar:
(far left) by the way, is a phenomenal athlete. That throw to first while falling down, totally reminded me of this guy:
striking resemblance, don’t you think? Okay fine, maybe not. But still, Erick Aybar’s athletic catch-release acrobatics reminded me instantly of Favre’s falling-over pass in the Packer’s division playoffs against the Seahawks. Man that was an awesome play – And the pitching lately, has been getting back together. Soon, Lackey will return to the lineup; I can’t wait. Weaver is still having a bit of trouble, but this is really turning out to be Santana’s and Saunder’s seasons. They are both now 4-0, and they look absolutely phenomenal, home and away.
Whereas Boston… eesh. The starting rotation did not look good, and I know it was all out of whack, but still. The bullpen wasn’t really together at all, and that’s an everyday thing. I was surprised to see the Angels beat around Delcarmen, who up until now, I’ve been thinking was a good middle reliever. Sure, he still is, but it really surprised me. And Okajima, very uncharacteristic. As far as the offense, similar problems to what the Angels have normally had at Fenway against them – lack of getting the runners across, inability to find wholes – and all this in a very hitter-friendly park.
This past series was definitely the quietest I’ve ever heard a crowd of Boston fans. I would LOVE if it could stay that way. But really, as soon as the series was won, and won NOT by Boston, they had more than plenty to say about it. Complaints about the flu bug, complaints about the mixing around of the starting pitching… excuses excuses excuses. Yeah ok, playing with an unhealthy team sucks doesn’t it? Need I remind you that the Angels had their share of unhealthful issues around the playoffs last season? Guerrero out, Matthews out, Kotchman out, Anderson out… need I continue? I think not. So get over it Boston, it happens to everyone.
But don’t expect to have that excuse to use next time. It may just be that the Angels have finally figured out the formula, and may be out to give you a run for your money this time. They are on a tear to prove their worth, against all odds and that dumb east coast bias. Look out, AL, the Angels intend to be a force to reckon with.
No comments:
Post a Comment