100 Wins Means Nothing Now
October 8, 2008
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won the pathetic American League West Crown in less time than it takes to microwave a burrito. Playing Oakland, Texas and Seattle 19 times each makes it easy to make 100 wins. Hell, even the Yankees could have competed in that race (not that they would have won, mind you).
So they host the Boston Red sox in a best-of-five ALDS series. This is what the Angels played for: home field advantage. That was going to help them get over the playoff hump of beating the defending World Series Champions and the same team that swept Anaheim out in 2004 and 2007 and rallied from a 3-1 deficit in 1986 to win the ALCS.
From the looks of things, LA is still reeling from the Donnie Moore meatball he served to David Henderson. Despite winning nine of 10 from Boston in the regular season, the Red Sox came away with a 4-1 victory. How did they do it? By beating the Halos at their own game. Running the bases, stealing, bunting and smart defense is what gave Boston the victory—and one more thing for LA to think about going into Game 2.
Here is what LA and their fans are collectively thinking: “If we fail to win Game 2 at home, we will be down 0-2 again for the third consecutive time again the Red Sox in the ALDS. We will have to face Josh Beckett at Fenway Park who four-hit us in Game 1 last year in order to force Game 4. We will be doomed.”
Angels Coach Mike Scioccia must be thinking this is what the former Ohio State Buckeyes Football Coach John Cooper felt after constantly losing to arch-rival Michigan. After compiling a 2-9 record again Big Blue, Cooper was fired. Scioccia might want to touch up his resume if his team is swept out again by Red Sox Nation. A great baseball man with impressive credentials who cannot defeat the Red Sox in the postseason.
No pressure, Mike. No pressure at all on your team.
--Mark Berger
-Bergseye
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