The Los Angeles Angels are making a lot of noise now that they acquired the five-time All-Star and one of the most feared sluggers in the league, Josh Hamilton. However, when looking at their starting pitching, the Angels don't pose a threat. Because of this, it is hard to say that they are a playoff team.
Jered Weaver is one of the top starters in baseball, a CY Young candidate every single season. However, guys like C.J. Wilson, Tommy Hanson and Joe Blanton aren't that great of a supporting cast.
If anything, the Angels look more like the New York Yankees; big time ace, powerful lineup and a bunch of average pitchers.
If anything, I like their bullpen better than their starting rotation. They have guys like Scott Downs, Ernesto Frieri, Ryan Madson and Sean Burnett. These guys have proven through the years that they can shut down the competition. Something the Angels' starting rotation should be happy about.
Last season, Weaver was the only of these four pitchers to have an ERA under 3.50. Wilson's ERA was close to 4.00 posting a 3.83 ERA. However, you have to like that he's an inning eater and a former ace.
Hanson and Blanton will win you about 10 games each, but will give up the long ball like there's no tomorrow. Hanson surrendered 27 bombs while Blanton gave up 29, which was 9th among all starting pitchers in 2012.
Without a doubt, the Angels will be putting up runs by the bunches. I mean, what else is there to expect from a lineup featuring Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton in the middle of the order? Not to mention they have a supporting cast of Mark Trumbo and Mike Trout. It is a lethal lineup.
But what happens when they face a young and talented pitching staff line the Oakland Athletics or the Tampa Bay Rays? They face the Rays seven times and the A's 17 times in 2012.
If the Angels hitters get cold at the wrong time of the year, guess what, their pitching won't save them.
The Angels did improve this offseason with this great offensive addition, however, they might want to look into acquiring another pitcher for the backend of their rotation. If Weaver goes down, this team is in trouble.