Scud's bet of the year.

[SCUDSBROTHER]

Angels lost 9 games when the opposition scored 3 runs or less.I do not think that will occur in the 2nd half.Jeff Weaver will not lose 10 games for the Angels in the 2nd half(he is no longer on the team.)They've won 8 of 9.In that one loss,Shields got beat in the bottom of the 9th by a 2 run home run by Frank Thomas.Yesterday's game was very important for this team,because Shields came in and made all 3 of the Oakland hitters look like fools(including striking out Frank Thomas.)What else is gunna be different in the 2nd half of the season? Well,Colon just threw a 4 hit shut out over Seattle.That was his 1st win since last September.If Colon keeps pitching that way,look out.Even if he doesn't,they have some pitching here:

Jered Weaver 1.12 e.r.a.

Scot Shields 2.47

John Lackey 2.88

Francisco Rodriguez 2.89

Hector Carrasco 3.81

Kelvim Escobar 3.88

Ervin Santana 3.96 (youngster pitched 7 strong yesterday,and was throwing his slider better in the 7th inning than in the rest of the game.)

So,there is my justification for them taking the division.Now,on the downside they are not a strong offensive club.I think they are coming around(I especially think it is important for Figgins to keep the confidence he is showing right now at the plate.) They have not been playing good defense this year.Pitchers Donnelly,and Romero are pretty much crap.Hopefully Shields will continue to pitch like he did Sunday.These other 2 will continue to be deficits on this team.