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LA Angels of Anaheim Season Predictions | 2013 Season Betting Preview

2013 MLB Team Preview: LA Angels

The Anaheim Angels certainly didn’t rest in the offseason and stand pat – obviously a third place finish in the division last year was not acceptable! They, for the second year in a row were very active improving their team.

Odds to Win AL West: -160
Odds to Win World Series: 17/2

In is Josh Hamilton, Tommy Hanson and Jason Vargas. The Angels, on paper will field one of the scariest batting orders in recent memory. The question will be – will the overhauled pitching staff hold up?

Probable lineup

1. Mike Trout, LF
2. Erick Aybar, SS
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Josh Hamilton, RF
5. Mark Trumbo, DH
6. Howie Kendrick, 2B
7. Alberto Callaspo, 3B
8. Chris Iannetta, C
9. Peter Bourjos, CF

Wow – what a lineup! Mike Trout, Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton are All-Stars capable of hitting .300 and smashing 30 home runs apiece. Eric Aybar out of the two hole is a superb compliment to the power around him. Mark Trumbo as DH adds another power element; Pete Bourjos is an absolute speedster and Alberto Callespo in a prime spot to drive in his fair share of runs. The Angels have four starters that could hit 30 home runs which should make things pretty easy on Manager Mike Scioscia.

Expect a ton of runs in Anaheim this season for sure – they are prime to become one of the best offensive clubs ever – if they don’t come close it will be a disappointment.

Probable rotation

1. Jered Weaver
2. C.J. Wilson
3. Tommy Hanson
4. Jason Vargas
5. Joe Blanton

If there is a weakness on this team it may be the starting rotation – a bit of a surprise considering the talent they have been able to trot out there the past few seasons. Jared Weaver is a stud but CJ Wilson is coming off offseason elbow surgery – he is a question mark rather than a sure thing! Tommy Hanson’s skills have diminished over the past couple of seasons and Jason Vargas has been just OK the last couple of seasons. So outside of Weaver there is more concern than confidence with the starters in Anaheim.

Bullpen

Closer: Ernesto Frieri
Righties: Kevin Jepsen, Bobby Cassevah, Garrett Richards, Jerome Williams
Lefties: Scott Downs, Sean Burnett

The pen should be OK but recently signed Ryan Madson is already dealing with elbow soreness after Tommy John surgery. The set up men are fine – probably top third in the AL. For now closer Ernesto Frieri is penciled in as the closer – he proved effective last year and assuming that Madson is out a while, he is a more than serviceable closer. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]

Notable bench players

OF Vernon Wells
IF Andrew Romine
UTIL Bill Hall
C Hank Conger

The Angels lost some of their depth during the offseason. The do still posess some dangerous hitters off the bench headlined by Vernon Wells who has disappointed since coming over from Toronto. Beyond that, Mike Scioscia will have some work to do – hopes are that the stacked starting lineup can do the damage for this team.

Betting Prediction:

The Angels have been one of the most talented teams in the AL for years – living up to expectation is the biggest hurdle for this team. Mike Trout should be improved which is a scary proposition for the rest of the league, Albert Pujols should be more comfortable after just an OK season last year and Tommy Hanson could return to prominence and anchor a starting rotation that appears to be the weakness on the team. But Josh Hamilton’s health is an issue Ryan Madson’s elbow issues could linger and Mark Trumbo could continue a second half slump from last season.

That said there is just too much talent on this team to think they will disappoint this year. The Angels enter the season with arguably the most impressive lineup in the AL but with more question marks than most. Torii Hunter is gone – Josh Hamilton will be asked to suck up some of the immense production that Hunter vacated. But I think the improvements in the bullpen especially will carry this team to prominence.

Bottom Line: There is no reason to think that the Angels will continue their underachieving role this year. Anchored by perhaps the best Manager in the game, look for the Angels to emerge the Champs of the AL West. With improved offense, they Halos should be able to overcome what is a sketchy starting rotation. I love the Angels in 2013 – a World Series win wouldn’t be a shock whatsoever.

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.