Return of Red October: Angels Clinch AL West Title

Sep 17, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; General view of the scoreboard after the Los Angeles Angels won the American League West Division title against the Seattle Mariners at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Angels Clinch AL West Title

It was the one thing that kept them in the playoffs for so many years before their recent four year hiatus–the bullpen.

The Halos had all the tools needed to get back to October Baseball coming into this season. They had a dangerous offense, a deep bench full of good role players, a solid starting rotation, a good defense, but that bullpen was the big question.

After three months of hanging on in second place behind the Oakland Athletics, the Angels answered that question with some of their biggest trades in recent years. And the result?

The ninth AL West Division Title in franchise history, and their tenth playoff appearance in 54 years of existence. That’s actually a very good ratio.

Lefty CJ Wilson returned to his usual form as well by tossing seven dominant innings against the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday night, en route to the division-clinching 5-0 victory.

And for one night, the Angels and their fans became Texas Rangers fans, as the Rangers defeated the Athletics in Oakland. It was then that the party started.

Angels fans stuck around for the outcome of the Oakland game. And then the Angels players reemerged for a tropical storm of champagne and beer.

It was a long wait. And it was well worth it.

Now, the next step for the Angels will be to close out the season with the best record in the American League, which will also give them the best record in the Majors. This will ensure home field advantage throughout the playoffs, as well as the World Since since the AL won the All-Star Game.

There is also a bonus attached. If the Halos six of their final 10 games, they will not only win 100 games for the second time in franchise history, but they will also set an all-time franchise record in wins with 102.

The 2014 season just keeps getting better and better. This team has suffered injuries, but fought throughout them. They came together and played their best baseball for about five months straight. The front office came in and plugged the right holes with the right pieces at the right time. The coaching was the best it’s been since the days of Scioscia, Maddon, and Black. And the team never let anything get them down. I have not seen an Angels team like this since the 2002 Championship team.

This team is special. And there may be more to come.

Wheeling and Dealing

• Jered Weaver was scratched from his Thursday start to put him on schedule for game one of the ALDS.
• Lefty Wade LeBlanc will make a spot start for Weaver.

On the Mend

• Josh Hamilton was in the hospital all night Wednesday after reporting sharp stabbing chest pains, and having trouble breathing.
• Matt Shoemaker is progressing and will most likely pitch in the playoffs, or even before.

Facts and Figures

• This is the Angels’ ninth division title and tenth playoff appearances in 54 years.
• The Angels are 78-40 since the last time they were at .500 on May 9th.
• Albert Pujols is just two RBI away from 100, which would give him 100-plus RBIs in two of his first three seasons as an Angel. The current accolades of the team are beginning to justify the purpose of his contract, in addition to the contracts of Hamilton, Wilson, and Mike Trout.
• In a recent article by ESPN, the Angels’ organization was ranked number one in all of MLB.