There's no longer any doubt about it. The Los Angeles Angels have now established themselves as genuine contenders after sweeping the Chicago White Sox in Chicago. Just as importantly, rookie Angels' closer Jordan Walden passed a major gut check.
The Angels won the first two games, 4-3 and 7-2. In the first game, Jordan Walden garnered his second save with minimal effort. So when the Angels built a 4-2 lead in game three, manager Mike Scioscia called upon Walden to slam the door shut in the bottom of the ninth after having used four pitchers. One of those four was Fernando Rodney, the former closer, and he actually had an uneventful outing.
But Walden's outing was hardly uneventful. He did not have his best stuff today. First, Carlos Quentin doubled to right. Alex Rios then walked. After a sacrifice moved the runners to second and third, Alexei Ramirez struck out on three pitches. But then Omar Vizquel walked. Bases loaded, two out.
However, Mike Scioscia stuck with Walden, realizing that working his way out of a jam is a necessary experience for a young reliever. So he let Walden face Juan Pierre, a good slap hitter. Walden repaid Scioscia's confidence; after a strike, he induced Pierre to fly out to left field, grabbing his third save of the year. Final score: 4-2 Angels.
This was Walden's first major gut check -- and he passed it with flying colors. If the Angels do win this year, one of the major decision points will be when Mike Scioscia demoted Fernando Rodney to setup man and promoted Jordan Walden to closer early in the year after Rodney misfired twice in the season-opening series in Kansas City.
But there are other reasons why the Angels will contend. Rookie Mark Trumbo has been an admirable fill-in for Kendrys Morales at first base, hitting for both average and power. Peter Bourjos, already a human vacuum cleaner in center field, has finally breached the Mendoza Line, hitting .224. Shortstop Maice Izturis is hitting .383. Alberto Callaspo is hitting .346 with power. Howard Kendrick is hitting .309 with five homers in 55 at bats. Vernon Wells is finally waking up at the plate; he's up to .148 now. Morales is in the final stages of rehab now and is expected back in May. And the starting duo of Jered Weaver and Dan Haren is being compared to the Braves' famous starting duo of Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine.
But a major test is at hand. The Angels begin a three-game series with the Texas Rangers in Arlington on Monday April 18th. The Rangers got off to a hot start, tattooing the ball all over the place. Lately, they've been slowed a bit by the loss of Josh Hamilton due to a broken arm, but are still a potent force. The Angels are scheduled to pitch Ervin Santana, Matt Palmer, and Jered Weaver during the series; I expect Palmer to lose. If the Angels can emerge from the series with at least one win, it'll show they can play with the big boys. Two wins would be a bonus. Then after Texas comes a four-game series against the Red Sox in Anaheim; despite Boston's slow start, they're not to be taken lightly. The Red Sox could just decide to resurrect themselves against the Angels.
Nonetheless, by sweeping the White Sox in Chicago, the Angels proved they're contenders.
