Angels Forcast-March 8

With the 2010 baseball season fast approaching, it's time to take an in depth look at the Angels to see what 2010 has in store for the Halos.  This is also the debut of my dad as a guest blogger on Tim's Sports World.  So without further adieu, let's begin!

STARTING ROTATION

Jered Weaver – Toiling just under the shadow of John Lackey and greatness, I think this is Weaver’s year to break out. When he’s on, he’s pretty much unhittable. Now he’s going to be the Big Man on Campus (BMOC) and should be setting the pace…as the ace…of this pitching staff.

Dad: Many lament about losing Big John in such a traitorous way to the Red Sox, but I think Jered will be a 20 game winner and we’ll be asking “John who?” come October. 

My take: Jered will emerge as the staff ace, but I think 20 wins is a little bit of a stretch, but anything's possible.  He'll be very close to 20 wins with the final total of 18. 

Joel Pineiro – A career 4.39 ERA with one of his better years last year on the Cards with a 3.49 ERA. Joel’s stats are up and down with his time in MLB shared between Seattle, Boston, and St. Louis. What’s different now? Last year he learned a new pitch…a 2 seamer …and became one of the better ground ball inducers in the league.

Dad: No reason to think he’ll regress to his Mariner days when he averaged around a 5 ERA. 16 game winner for 2010. 

My take: Pineiro will definitely get his share of ground balls and 16 wins seems to be about right.

Scott Kazmir – The 36 year old showed his age last year with a 4.89 ERA compare to an average around 3.50 the 5 years prior.

Dad: Kazmir did do better in the second half, as did the team in general after the tragedies and injuries that plagued the beginning of the season. A good pitcher, but not great. 12 wins in 2010.

My take: After Kazmir was acquired last year, he pitched pretty well down the stretch, but did not get enough run support.  In the postseason, he wasn't as good.  Kazwir will win 13 to 14 games in 2010.
 
Ervin Santana – When he’s hot, he’s hot. When he’s not, he’s really not. After a whiny and depressing 2007, Santana was light’s out in 2008 when he won 16 games as opposed to 7 the year before. Last year, injuries plagued the flighty Dominican, and he again lost his form dropping to 8 wins with a 5.03 ERA.

Dad: Ervin seems to be in the same place he was at the beginning of 2008, hungry and determined. 12 wins but an injury in the summer will slow his pace and Matt Palmer will take his place in the rotation (how’s that for a specific prediction?).

My take: Santana has had great success in even-numbered years.  Last time I checked, this is 2010.  If that is any indication, Ervin is due for a successful campaign. He'll end up with 15 wins. 

Joe Saunders – Hokie Joe is a workingman's pitcher. Tough and determined, he muscled his way onto the All Start team in 2008.

Dad: His form dropped a little last year but he only lost one more game than the year before; 16 compared to 17. Look for Joe to win 18 this year.

My take: Saunders will look to rebound from an off year in 2009 where he was pitching with an injury.  He'll end up with 17 to 18 wins.

Tomorrow's Focus-Bullpen.

Photo courtesy:
Wikimedia Commons and Tzadikv under CC-SA 3.0 License