2008 Woodie Awards
PCI
Which American League powerhouse will win the AL pennant this season?
Issue date: 9/11/08 Section: Sports
After what has been an entertaining MLB season the push for the playoffs is finally here. Several teams in the American League, including the Tampa Bay Rays and Los Angeles Angels seem destined for playoff glory. However, with outstanding pitching and one of the top offenses in Major League Baseball, the Boston Red Sox are poised to grab the AL pennant in 2008.
Since Aug. 1st the Red Sox have been on a tear, compiling a 24-11 record while outscoring their opponents 226-151. They have cut Tampa Bay's division lead to just 1.5 games with three weeks remaining in the season. Offensively, the Red Sox have been a force to be reckoned with throughout the season. They lead Major League Baseball in team batting average (.284), and on-base percentage (.361). Also, starting second baseman Dustin Pedroia remains in the hunt for the AL batting crown. Even with imposing offensive numbers the key to winning MLB postseason games is pitching. Although shaky at times, the Sox pitching staff is coming together nicely in time for a postseason push. Opponents are batting just .249 off Sox pitchers and their staff boasts an AL leading 14 shutouts this year. Relievers Hideki Okajima and Justin Masterson have proved valuable as bridges between starting pitching and lights out closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Look for Sox ace Josh Beckett to bounce back from his recent struggles and lead a strong starting rotation into the playoffs. That being said, don't be surprised when Terry Francona's ballclub finds itself in the World Series for the second straight year.
-Anthony Valentino '09
This year in the American League, several teams have stood out as either over-achievers, such as the Tampa Bay Rays, or complete flops, like the disastrous Detroit Tigers. Only a few teams have stood out as true forces to be reckoned with. In my mind the most formidable team and a shoe-in for the World Series is the Los Angeles Angels. They have the most balanced team in the majors, combining offense, defense, and pitching in just the right way to get a league-leading 87 wins as of Sept. 10 and will be the first team in the majors with a shot at clinching a playoff berth.
It's true that the Angels are in what is easily the weakest AL division, but their whopping 17.5 game lead over the Texas Rangers is 13.5 games more than any other first-place team's lead throughout the majors.
Though they cooled off in August, the recent pick-up of Mark Teixeira, adding to an already potent offense, will only aid them once they reach the playoffs, where the competition just does not seem like it will stack up. Ultimately I think that it will be the incredible pitching, both starting and relief, that will win the Angels their ticket to the World Series. With the three superb starters John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver, plus the ultimate knock-out punch provided by Francisco Rodriguez, I just can't see any team in the majors, let alone in the AL, that can put up a strong enough fight to fend off this powerhouse.
- Chris Mammen '11
Since Aug. 1st the Red Sox have been on a tear, compiling a 24-11 record while outscoring their opponents 226-151. They have cut Tampa Bay's division lead to just 1.5 games with three weeks remaining in the season. Offensively, the Red Sox have been a force to be reckoned with throughout the season. They lead Major League Baseball in team batting average (.284), and on-base percentage (.361). Also, starting second baseman Dustin Pedroia remains in the hunt for the AL batting crown. Even with imposing offensive numbers the key to winning MLB postseason games is pitching. Although shaky at times, the Sox pitching staff is coming together nicely in time for a postseason push. Opponents are batting just .249 off Sox pitchers and their staff boasts an AL leading 14 shutouts this year. Relievers Hideki Okajima and Justin Masterson have proved valuable as bridges between starting pitching and lights out closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Look for Sox ace Josh Beckett to bounce back from his recent struggles and lead a strong starting rotation into the playoffs. That being said, don't be surprised when Terry Francona's ballclub finds itself in the World Series for the second straight year.
-Anthony Valentino '09
This year in the American League, several teams have stood out as either over-achievers, such as the Tampa Bay Rays, or complete flops, like the disastrous Detroit Tigers. Only a few teams have stood out as true forces to be reckoned with. In my mind the most formidable team and a shoe-in for the World Series is the Los Angeles Angels. They have the most balanced team in the majors, combining offense, defense, and pitching in just the right way to get a league-leading 87 wins as of Sept. 10 and will be the first team in the majors with a shot at clinching a playoff berth.
It's true that the Angels are in what is easily the weakest AL division, but their whopping 17.5 game lead over the Texas Rangers is 13.5 games more than any other first-place team's lead throughout the majors.
Though they cooled off in August, the recent pick-up of Mark Teixeira, adding to an already potent offense, will only aid them once they reach the playoffs, where the competition just does not seem like it will stack up. Ultimately I think that it will be the incredible pitching, both starting and relief, that will win the Angels their ticket to the World Series. With the three superb starters John Lackey, Ervin Santana, and Jered Weaver, plus the ultimate knock-out punch provided by Francisco Rodriguez, I just can't see any team in the majors, let alone in the AL, that can put up a strong enough fight to fend off this powerhouse.
- Chris Mammen '11
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Patricia K. Brozek
posted 9/16/08 @ 8:30 AM EST
Terrific article! Who is this Anthony Valentino?
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