Fangraphs bullish on Angels

[Angelsjunky]

The staff predictions, that is.

https://blogs.fangraphs.com/fangraphs-2021-staff-predictions/

15 of 38 think they'll win the division, and 23 think they'll at least get a wildcard.

Yes, that is validation.

[tdawg87]

Is this just the nerd version of my thread?

[totdprods]

Going to come down to health and the bullpen. I love the recent moves that were made but the pen is still full of question marks, just new ones, which might be enough of a change to make a difference. And as usual, health. 

Other than that, I think Houston's days are numbered...they're having a hard time producing enough new talent to keep up with the guys they are losing, and injuries are wrecking them. It's going to be a true test of their ability this year to 1) continue to turn pitchers around 2) develop their next wave of talent that they weren't able to draft as first rounders after tanking for years and 3) tread water through injuries...they sort of remind me of how the Angels were as we came out of the 2004-2009 stretch. 

Oakland is the biggest threat, but I personally think they're due for another re-tooling, and expect to see them start trading from the Olson, Chapman, Manaea, Laureano core this year. 

[Don]

I'm not gonna lie, I'm freaking excited for this season. I think this team can be really good if everyone plays to their potential. And for some reason it just feels right this year. Maybe it's just Covid winding down, or the end of a bullshit winter, or having a real freaking opening day for the first time in two years, but I am absolutely pumped for this season to start. I can't wait for Ohtani and Trout to hit back to back HRs with a combined distance of 900 feet, watch Fletch slap bullshit doubles down the right field line, and see Rendon and Iglesias making ridiculous plays on the left side of our infield.

[Chuck]

Picked up the SI MLB Magazine for 2021 they picked the Angels to win the west as well. 

https://www.si.com/mlb/2021/03/29/baseball-preview-projected-standings

[Vlad27Trout27]

It'll depend on the Rotation and Bullpen. If Bundy can pitch to around mid 3s era and Othani is healthy and pitching, we'll be a playoff team. 

Second, as much as i hate to admit it, the A's are the team to beat. They still have a solid rotation, a sneaky Bullpen, this is the only team that i think will be with us head-to-head, if we're healthy. 

[WicketMaiden]

28 minutes ago, totdprods said:

Going to come down to health and the bullpen. I love the recent moves that were made but the pen is still full of question marks, just new ones, which might be enough of a change to make a difference. And as usual, health. 

Other than that, I think Houston's days are numbered...they're having a hard time producing enough new talent to keep up with the guys they are losing, and injuries are wrecking them. It's going to be a true test of their ability this year to 1) continue to turn pitchers around 2) develop their next wave of talent that they weren't able to draft as first rounders after tanking for years and 3) tread water through injuries...they sort of remind me of how the Angels were as we came out of the 2004-2009 stretch. 

Oakland is the biggest threat, but I personally think they're due for another re-tooling, and expect to see them start trading from the Olson, Chapman, Manaea, Laureano core this year. 

I agree. And would add that with one or two exceptions their line-up's hitting averages were down across the board last year, and yet nobody in the media seems to think this was because they weren't cheating any more. As Trout said, knowing what's coming has got to help you. I honestly struggle to understand why so many reporters don't consider this when talking about the Astros and their players' likelihood of bouncing back.