Los Angeles Angels: 2014 American League Division Series Breakdown

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Aug 29, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels starter Jered Weaver (36) delivers a pitch against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

The Angels are back! After a four year break, the 2014 American League Division Series will feature the Halos against the upstart Kansas City Royals! Here is a quick breakdown of the ALDS that started last night with a Royals victory in extra innings.

2014 American League Division Series Matchups

Starting Rotations

Angels: RHP Jered WeaverC.J. WilsonMatt Shoemaker

Royals: Jason Vargas, Yordano Ventura, James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie

There’s one thing that gives the Halos the edge here: Weaver goes twice due to Manager Mike Scioscia’s decision to go with a 3-man rotation in the ALDS. That’s a move I think could turn out to be brilliant.

Advantage: Angels

Bullpens

Angels: RHP Huston Street, RHP Joe Smith, RHP Jason Grilli, RHP Kevin Jepsen, RHP Vinnie Pestano, RHP Cory Rasmus, RHP Fernando Salas, LHP Hector Santiago

Royals: RHP Greg Holland, RHP Wade Davis, RHP Kelvin Herrera, RHP Jason Frasor, LHP Tim Collins, LHP Danny Duffy

This is a tough call because both bullpens are tough. However, the Royals’ pen was good all season long, while the Halos’ relievers were inconsistent until late June when the front office began making several moves to fortify the back end. The result: a weakness became a strength. If the Halos hitters don’t get to to the Royals early, this will be a battle of the bullpens.

Advantage: Royals

Starting Lineups

Angels: RF Kole Calhoun, CF Mike Trout, 1B Albert Pujols, 2B Howie Kendrick, 3B David Freese, SS Erick Aybar, LF Josh Hamilton, DH C.J. Cron, C Chris Iannetta

Royals: SS Alcides Escobar, RF Nori Aoki, CF Lorenzo Cain, 1B Eric Hosmer, DH Billy Butler, LF Alex Gordon, C Salvador Perez, 2B Omar Infante, 3B Mike Moustakas

The Angels are deep in this area. The Royals aren’t. The Angels have power. The Royals don’t. The Angels mix walks and hits very well. The Royals don’t. The only thing the Royals really do better offensively is they steal a lot more bases. But the Angels have plenty of speed of their own, and will steal if necessary. Even if one area favors the Royals, the Angels have a bag of their own tricks to counter it.

Advantage: Angels

Benches

Angels: C Hank Conger, UT Gordon Beckham, UT Efren Navarro, OF Collin Cowgill

Royals: C Erik Kratz, UT Christian Colon, UT Terrance Gore, OF Jarrod Dyson, OF/DH Josh Willingham

The depth in this area swings the Royals’ way only because the Angels decided to go with 12 pitchers. But both teams have reliable role players. It’s just that the Angels tend to maximize value from their role players more, and that’s a testament to coaching. Not that the Royals’ bench is bad. It’s not. The Angels just know how to get the most out of their bench.

Advantage: Angels

Position-by-Position Comparison

Angels vs. Royals

C Chris Iannetta vs. Salvador Perez

Advantage: Perez

1B: Albert Pujols vs. Eric Hosmer

Advantage: Pujols

2B: Howie Kendrick vs. Omar Infante

Advantage: Kendrick

3B: David Freese vs. Mike Moustakas

Advantage: Freese

SS: Erick Aybar vs. Alcides Escobar

Advantage: Aybar

LF: Josh Hamilton vs. Alex Gordon

Advantage: Gordon

CF: Mike Trout vs. Lorenzo Cain

Advantage: Come on! It’s not even fair!

RF: Kole Calhoun vs. Nori Aoki

Advantage: Calhoun

DH: CJ Cron vs. Billy Butler

Advantage: Butler

Overall, the Angels have superior bats and gloves. It’s almost a no-brainer which player/s one would pick for their fantasy teams.

Advantage: Angels

And The Winner Will Be…

The Royals may be riding an emotional wave, especially after last night’s Game 1 win, and they might be a pesky team, but the Angels will likely overpower them, even if the Royals display their prowess in their bullpen. There is just too much talent and overall execution thereof by the Angels. If that doesn’t happen, it will likely be accredited to the Royals’ bullpen. Get to their starters early is probably the key strategy. Same goes for the Royals against the Angels. This is probably going to be a great series, and could go a full five.

Advantage: Angels!