Last night, the Angels' closer, Ernesto Frieri, imploded in the top of the 9th to blow a 2-1 lead over the Oakland A's, which prevented the Angels from going over the .500 mark in more than a year. Nonetheless, Hector Santiago pitched 7 innings of 1 run ball, allowing just 5 hits and 1 walk. If the Angels have any chance of staying in contention they must get serviceable performances from the 3-4-5 spots in their rotation. 22 year old Tyler Skaggs and 26 year old Garrett Richards have been impressive in their first two starts, although Richards has had to survive 8 walks in his 12 IP (but only allowed a total of 4 hits). With Weaver apparently on the decline, and CJ Wilson subject to bouts of inconsistency, a lot rests upon the unproven trio of Skaggs, Richards and Santiago. The Angels' rotation portends the Red Sox rotation of 2015 if the Sox decide to "go cheap," allowing Lester and Peavy walk this winter, and try to integrate unproven pitchers like Webster, De la Rosa, Owens and (the more experienced) Workman into next year's starting mix.
Middle reliever Joe Smith has been the bright spot in the Angels' thin bullpen, appearing in 6 games and allowing just 3 hits and no walks in 6 IP. Although his FA signing of 3 years and $15.75 million was thought, by some, to be excessive, Smith has earned his paycheck for at least the first two weeks of the season.