Angels - Royals, Hoping Offense Keeps Rolling

On vacation on the Big Island of Hawaii, so I'm amazed that I'm even posting let alone reading anything on the internet. I was amazed that even in this house we're renting surrounded by lush green vegetation that they provided free wi-fi. I guess that's the time we live in now...may have to post about it sometime.

Anyway, my favorite MLB team is in the Playoffs again. The signings of  Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton haven't equaled playoff appearances until this season and will Hamilton out a lot this season he wasn't much contributor this year either. Pujols was better this season, so you have to give him some credit, but this team is led by Mike Trout, a rebuilt bull pen and a surprising rookie pitcher in Matt Shoemaker.

The Royals pitching is going to be key in this series. The Angels' pen may be deeper, but the Royals are slightly better with Gregg Holland (46 saves, 1.44 ERA) as their closer and Wade Davis (1.00 ERA) as their main setup guy. What there's no doubt in is that the Royal's rotation is better than the Angels' rotation. The Angels get a break with the Royals' having to pitch their Ace James Shields in the 1-game wildcard playoffs (that's the advantage of being the #1 seed). Angels' hitters will face Danny Duffy and counter with Jered Weaver in Game 1. Game 2 will be Jeremy Guthrie vs. Shoemaker. Weaver has all the experience, but doesn't have the velocity he once did. I wonder how Shoemaker, being a rookie, will handle it...especially if the Angels lose Game 1. Game 3 will be Shields vs. CJ Wilson who has been erratic. Shields will likely pitch on short rest if there's a game 5, were he'll face Shoemaker.

As Yogi Bera once said "Pitching will always beat batting...and vice-versa." For the Angels' sake, I hope it's vice-versa, because as clear cut as the Royals' pitching is better that the Angels...it's just as clear that the Angels' offense is superior to the Royals. Funny thing is the Royals are what the Angels used to be, an AL team that plays NL style...get on base, steal bases, move runners, timely hitting. I liked it when the Angels played that way. Now the Angels are the mashers with big hitters up and down the lineup and the potential to put up big numbers in any inning. The Angels are the highest scoring team in the Majors and that's what got them to the best record in baseball...they need to be the highest scoring team in the playoffs to get their 2nd World Series win.

You want a prediction...since I'm out here in the 50th state this is going to be straight from my gut as I haven't put much research in it. Angels in 4, winning Games 1, 2, and 4.