Los Angeles Angels Tickets

2008 Los Angeles Angels Playoff Outlook The Los Angeles Angels have been in control of the American League West all season long, something that has become an annual occurence.

The Angels are yet again led by fantastic starting pitching and they are probably the most well-rounded team in the American League.

Ervin Santana has been fantastic on the road this year as well as at home, dropping the weird splits in ERA he had last season. Santana was always fantastic in his own ballpark but a train wreck on the road, something he has corrected.

John Lackey has recovered nicely from a triceps injury that delayed his start to the season while Joe Saunders has surprised everyone with his high win total despite such a low strikeout rate.

As usual, the team's bullpen is a major strength. Closer Francisco Rodriguez is well on his way to setting the record for most saves in a season and has been fairly dominant along the way.

Usually an organization that plays it close to the vest and decides to hang onto its top prospects at the trade deadline instead of dealing them for an upgrade, the Angels finally made an exception to that theory this year.

Los Angeles made a major splash, acquiring Atlanta Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira. Teixeira gave them an upgrade in power and defense at first base and another bat to provide protection in the lineup for outfielder Vladamir Guerrero.

They also made a big splash in free agency before the season, signing center fielder Torii Hunter despite having four-years and nearly $40 million remaining on a contract to current center fielder Gary Matthews Jr.

The Angels are closing in on officially claiming the American League West division crown and should be a favorite to win the World Series. They have the starting pitching to match nearly any other rotation in baseball, a bullpen that is one of the league's best, and a balanced lineup that can score runs in a variety of ways.