AngelsFanSince86

Mike Trout is up to bat Chris, just chill the f*** out!

Woooow. Stupid. Stupid. Stupid

Some great ABs there by Aybar and Howie...

Cardinals pitchers in the ASG

True, but in that scenario Rasmus would most likely have been out and Lewis would have gladly taken it.

That hasn't been a strike all night

Well that kind of makes up for the bunt mistake

Oh OK. Didn't catch that.

**** you Hamilton. **** you freese

Thank God for terrible fielding. Saved the GIDP

Richards pissed about that walk I guess

There goes the no no

But...but...but...he has a career 3.80 ERA against them!!!

Another great AB there by Hamilton

Guess not

I didn't know that. Kind of ends the whole argument haha

Orioles up on the A's 4-0 already.

Yeah I'm not saying I completely agree with what we gave up for him, but I do think he will make a big impact. Yes he may only pitch 30 innings, but he will be huge in the playoffs and in the big games that we need to win to get there. Plus we will have him all next year.

Yeah I get what you are saying. Its definitely a tough choice. Street has been better overall and has more experience. But Smith has been better in the 9th, although has had a few less opportunities. I really see this as a great problem to have, especially in the playoffs. If you end up having several close games in a row it is good to know you have two reliable lights out closers in the pen that you can alternate. I think they should just base it on match ups. They are both righties, but there has to be enough data on opposing hitters to know which style of pitching will be more effective. You also have to consider that Street may have an advantage against AL hitters considering he hasn't been on an AL team since 2009 and so most AL hitters haven't seen him much if at all.

No it has nothing to do with that. Its a different mindset because of the situation. If they mess up there is not much chance to come back from it. If you give up the tying/go-ahead run in any inning prior then the offense can still have at least a couple chances to come back. Its a different mentality that some pitchers can't handle. Overall the importance may be the same, but that doesn't mean the pressure isn't higher. I mean even as a fan you can feel the pressure of the situation in a close game in the 9th way more then the 6th, 7th, or 8th. When the Angels are in a close game, it isn't until that last inning when the pitcher goes out to close the game that I am on the edge of my seat, completely focused, not moving for fear I will jinx something. Imagine being the pitcher in that situation. Its just not the same as earlier innings regardless of whether or not it still means the same.

Hmmm...not sure where you got those numbers. Smith is 15 for 19. He has blown 3 more saves then Street has in 6 less opportunities.

While who you pitch to in the 6th, 7th, and 8th innings are just as important as in the 9th, it takes a certain mindset to close out a game. I think Smith has that mindset and I think he will be used to close out many games when it is necessary. Street has more experience in the role, but if you look at the stats Smith has been better. Smith has a 0.39 ERA in the 9th compared to Streets 1.29 ERA (Street has about 5 more IP then Smith in the 9th). Smith has blown 4 saves this year though. I think Street should be seen as our primary closer, but for the most part they should switch off.

It isn't really about lowering the ERA of the bullpen, but making the bullpen deeper. Even if you get a solid starter to add to the rotation (which certainly would have cost more then Street did) you still have the chance of that starter having a bad game on any given day. With a deeper pen you don't have to worry about pulling a starter if they aren't cutting it. Having a deep pen is something that will help you every single game. Adding a SP is something that MAY give you help every 5 games. Edit: I'm stoked we added Street. It would have sucked to spend a ton on a SP and then possibly lose in a one game playoff that the pitcher we got didn't even play in. The addition of Street makes it so that we can pull whoever starts that game very early on if they aren't cutting it and almost ensures the game can be closed out.

Finally a first pitch swing and it pays off!!! Efren!!!!!!!

Anderson was my favorite Angels player growing up. I remember listening to Angels games on the radio during dinner with my family when he was having that really long consecutive game hit streak. Edit: I always respected Salmon for being a life long Angel, but had trouble liking him too much because I have 4 sisters who all adored Tim Salmon because they all thought he was "so cute".