tempe85

By the way I have to ask you guys.... Where did Iguchi come from? Last year Kaz Matsui had unbelievable hype and chatter and then ended up bombing. I never even heard of Iguchi until just recently and he seems to be twice the player of Kaz and plays the same position.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 24, 2005 -> 12:49 AM) Haha, heck, its only the 2nd time all year that the Sox haven't had the lead at one point in the game. But ya Angels offense has been atrocious. I shuddered when they signed Cabrerra and Finley instead of opting for Beltran. I just didn't think it made sense. They gave both of them too much money and if your gonna divy up that type of money I'd rather of had Beltran and Eckstein (who I wasn't the ultimate fan of, but he's gonna cost half the price per season without giving up a long term deal and put up better offensive numbers while playing good d, albeit not great d). I don't know how many games you get to tempe, but the other thing I notice about the Angels...they have the slowest working pitching staff in the bigs (no doubt about it). I'm always at the games wondering who I got to bribe to get some guys that flat throw strikes (I'm so excited I can see Buehrle pitch, he's as good as it gets to watch, imo...well him and Mulder). Angels are going to make it but the team isn't as good as last years. They have better pitching simply because Colon is pitching like the Colon of old, but Washburn and Lackey aren't near as good as they are pitching (I can't stand Washburn, he's a 1 pitch pitcher) while Lackey hasn't been anything since that playoff run (he usually has one hot streak a season). Byrd is solid and Escobar has dynomite stuff (and only Clemens gets worse run support, lol). The Angels will make it to the postseason this year only because of a big dropoff in the AL West. They have a solid rotation (which I'll agree is pitching better than they'll end up at). However I hate Lackey (I've nick named him Too Tall Texas by the way).... he seems to get your hopes up every once in a while but then crushes them soon after. Washburn throws the fastball... yep. I like Escobar though, and Colon is capable of being great (when he lays off the Cheeseburgers). What they really need to do is fire Mickey Hatcher. Hatcher's "hackers" have the lowest OBP in the league (.299 IS AWFUL!!). The lineup is capable of being good but as long as that guy is around we won't be all that great (then again we did win a world series with him....amazing). What is steller is our pen. The tandem of Shields-Donnelly-KRod is unmatched. All three could close for any team in the league. That's the only reason we have a winning record.

Wow I actually read this was the first time all year the Sox were shut out.... that's impressive (for both the Sox and Santana). My Angels have been shut out.... let's see.... hmm... frig I lost count at 20. LOL By the way I just have to add how impressed I am of the White Sox this year. I really should have seen it coming... I mean a rotation of Buerhle-Garcia-Contreras-Hernandez-Garland when they're pitching up to their capabilities is one of the best and deepest in the league. Heck you guys haven't even hit your stride with your hitters and your record is still steller. I also have to add getting Podsendik was a steal... that guy can do everything.

QUOTE(Chisoxfn @ May 23, 2005 -> 11:15 PM) Hey Tempe...welcome aboard I'm guessing your an Angel fan? Just going off the tempe (considering thats where the Angels play there spring ball). Anyway your right and I know a lot of people just looked at his ERA and thought chump. Santana isn't just the best minor league pitchers in the Angels system but he's one of the best in the bigs. I still think he's up a little early but he's in the same class as the Sox Brandon McCarthy in the sense that he has the ability to come up and make an immediate impact. I am an Angels fan but don't worry I don't plan to cause a rukus Anyways I think it was just a combination of him being really good and that no one knows anything about him in the majors (no scouting reports) which allowed him to have a really good game.

Ervin Santana (who actually was named Johan Santana a couple years ago...but changed it so no one would be confused with the Twins' Santana) is one of the best minor league pitchers for the Angels (if not the best). The Angels are well known for their stacked minor league pitching staff, having already brought up pitchers like Donnelly, K-Rod, Scot Shields, Lackey, and Woods in only the past couple years. The guy that beat you today isn't the 13.50 ERA guy that everyone thought they were facing. This guy is really good, in a couple years he could be great. http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/article/...s_2004_parttwo/ This site listed him has the 20th best prospect in all of the minor leagues last year.