The Angels got some great pitching in their series sweep over the Dodgers this weekend and the sweep was a pleasant surprise. The pitchers gave up a total of four runs in the three games and the offense gave them more then enough firepower to pull off the three wins.
Kelvim Escobar was particularly good yesterday. He threw eight shutout innings and he lowered his season ERA to 2.82, which looks pretty good until you compare it to tomorrow’s starter, John Lackey. Lackey looks like he’s finally making a run at his first Cy Young award and it couldn’t come at a better time as the Angels are clicking on all cylinders.
Orlando Cabrera is in the middle of an eleven game hitting streak. During that stretch, he’s seen his batting average rise from .258 to .297. Vlad Guerrero is still the team leader though.
And if you haven’t heard enough, here’s a great story on now third base prospect Brandon Wood. They compare him to another Mike Schmidt and while that’s premature, it certainly is hopeful.
As the rest of the division flounders around the .500 mark, the Angels have now jumped out to a four game lead (over the Athletics) with a three game series at Detroit beginning tomorrow. Lackey gets the start and hopefully he’ll be his usual self and make it six straight wins.
