The Angels of Los Angeles, or Anaheim, or perhaps both have had a hard time in the baseball odds standings since their rally monkey triumph five years ago.
It was a flash in the pan it seems for this Walt Disney product that not only won the Series but it also had a movie made about it starring Danny Glover. Not bad at all. But none of that has seemed to be of much help getting into the post season and especially not in 2006 baseball odds season.
But it wasn’t for lack of effort. The Angles put on a decent showing in the regular baseball odds season cruising to 89 wins, however, it wasn’t quite good enough to edge the baseball odds division champs, the Oakland A’s. But this baseball odds year you can guarantee that LA is looking forward to getting a little bit of pay back.
The Angels finished up strong going 7-3 in their last ten baseball odds games and made ground against Oakland who slumped over the last ten baseball odds games, however, it wasn’t quite enough. In 2006 baseball odds season it didn’t seem to matter where the Angels played as they had nearly identical baseball odds records at home going 45-36, as they did on the road going 44-37. And by most accounts that’s the sign of a good and balanced baseball betting team. Its .549 winning percentage was good enough for seventh in the AL and would have earned the Angels a division baseball odds pennant if they had played in the miserable NL West.
But the biggest obstacle for Angels in 2006 baseball odds season wasn’t opponents hitting or pitching, but rather good health. This baseball betting team was riddled with injuries last year and if it is healthy this baseball odds year, they could really give the A’s and the rest of the LA baseball betting team a run for their money. On paper this is a formidable club lead by the huge bat of former AL MVP Vladimir Guererro, who if healthy is one of the best players in all of baseball. He has the complete stroke as he can hit for power, average and drives in runs. He’s also good on his feet handy with the glove and get around the bases to score runs. He’ll be healthy in 2007 baseball odds season and looking forward to making up for lost time spent on the DL last baseball odds season.
Baseball odds experts know that the offense of this ball club is certainly its catalyst and more than a few questions remain regarding its pitching staff. But at the plate the Angels are sound with the rest of Vlad’s outfield mates all swinging some powerful lumber. Garret Anderson is as solid as they come at the plate and especially in the field and paired with new free agent signee, Gary Matthews Jr. this is one of the better outfields in the entire LA. Based on past baseball betting numbers this bunch should be able to patrol outfield with a lot of range and rack up runs at the plate.
The infield doesn’t quite match up with the punch that the outfield brings and we’ll see some changes here from the line up that Mike Soscia used in 2006 baseball odds season. At first base Shea Hilenbrand is another free agent signing that should bring some stability to the position and add some runs as well. At catcher and second base there will be two new faces. Rookie Howie Kendrick, maybe the only guy in baseball betting named Howie looks very sharp and should crack the starting lineup immediately. Behind the plate things are less certain but it looks like Mike Napoli will see most of the baseball betting action after coming on in the middle of last baseball odds season to provide some solid play and Jose, one the 17 Molina brothers, will probably steal a few starts as well.
The Pitching could be interesting this baseball odds year. If everyone can stay healthy this is a very good staff on paper and should be effective. The ace of the staff, Bartolo Colon is out until May and this could be a big question mark. But if can come back from the surgery close to 100% he should add a big lift. Baseball odds experts know that the two young hot shots, Ervin Santana and Jared weaver should also pay big dividends if they can pick up where they left off, especially Weaver. This baseball odds team has a chance to be very good and should give the A’s a very good run for their money and if they can’t capture the title they might be able to still the baseball odds wild card spot from a very tough AL East.