After getting pounded by the Yanks in Game 4, the Angels came into Game 5 in their first literal must win situation of the year. Things looked pretty damned good after the Halos jumped out to a 4-0 lead after just one inning, but the game became a pitching duel after that. Lackey and Burnett went head to head, and with the Angels offense being held down, the Yankees were just laying in wait to comeback. In the seventh they did, putting a six spot on the board to crush our dreams. Luckily, the crushing was only temporary, as the comeback kids came back with 3 of their own in the bottom of the seventh to take the lead. Brian Fuentes made it interesting in the end, loading the bases before shutting New York down, and the Angels have officially sent this ALCS back to New York. Anything can happen.
As I've done throughout the playoffs, I'm ready to present my positives and negatives after this Game 5. Let's get started with the positives:
1) There was no stopping us. There was no chance for the Angels to win Game 4, as they just simply got blown out, but they should no quit in Game 5. They stepped it up after getting the wind knocked out of them in the top of the seventh, and were able to produce enough to keep hope alive. The Angels got production from unlikely sources in this one, as they have in a lot of their post season wins this time around. Mathis got three hits and Vlad came through again in a crucial situation. Is he going to get a one year deal?
2) Torii Hunter. Just like Briana texted me during the game, "Where has Torii been all series?" Seriously. He was here tonight. Big Game Hunter went 2 for 2 with 2 walks, 2 runs, and 2 RBI. He was the freaking man. We've been waiting for him to make an impact ever since his ALDS Game 1 three run jack that started this whole thing, and here he came. If Torii is slugging with runners on, we're winning. It's just that simple.
3) Gigantic John Lackey is ferocious. Lack Daddy was a beast in this one, going 6.67 innings of 3 run ball with 7 punch outs. He wasn't on the mound when his three runs crossed the plate (Oliver), but he really kept us in the game up until that point. Also, how can you not love your #1 getting crazy fired up like he does. He was angry when Scioscia pulled him out, and he should have been. It was a bad call. Although, he did lose control after walking Posada instead of striking him out. Emotions are a tough thing to deal with. All that being said, though, he was an ace yet again for the Red Hats this evening.
4) The Mathis-Matician! I don't know what it is going to take for the fans to come around on this guy. I've been one of his biggest supporters ever since the Angels minor leagues were all about Kotchman, MacPherson, and Mathis, and I think I'm being vindicated with his performance in the ALCS. If we win, shouldn't Mathis get the MVP award? Tonight, Big 5 went 3 for 4 with 1 run, and he's now pounding an average of .600 in the playoffs (6 for 10). This is Mathis' shining moment, and we're reaping all the benefits.
5) Jered Weaver came out of the bullpen blazing. Weaver pitched a perfect eighth inning out of the pen, getting 2 Ks, and definitely should have been back on the hill in the ninth. There is no reason for Fuentes to come out with Weaver dealing in relief. The playoffs are no time to pad stats for closers, or show someone that you have faith in them. It worked out, but I would have let the Caveman close it out.
Of course, there were plenty of negatives that need to be examined before the huge game 6:
1) Pitching choices. I had earlier in the game remarked to my Dad how Mike Scioscia has seemed to have gotten better with his pitching decisions. This game showed that I was giving him too much credit. He called things better thus far, but at this point he made some poor choices. I don't know if I would have left Lackey in the game with the bases loaded and two outs, but he really seemed like he would have had me leave him in. Oliver gave up the big hit, and now everyone will second guess the decision, but what are you going to do? Damned if you do, damned if you don't. The decision I didn't like, although it worked out, was going with Fuentes straight up in the 9th, rather than letting Weaver continue his domination. Then, when you're trying to show faith in Fuentes' talents, you have him intentionally walk A-Rod? Makes a ton of sense.
2) Figgins. When I was making comments in the ALDS about Figgy not doing anything for us, and I figured that he would come around. I guess not. Chone went 0 for 3 with a run and a walk. Where is he? He's hitting .105 in the playoffs thus far. Arguably the best leadoff hitter in the game in the 2009 season, playing his brains out for a contract all year, and he's giving us .105 in the playoffs? I'm serious about this: if we hope to bang out two wins on the road in New York, we MUST have Figgins produce.
3) If I'm going to bang on Figgins, I think I also have to bang on Juan Rivera. My Dad says, "Rivera sucks right now." I guess he's right. Good ol' JR is hitting .143 in the ALCS, with just 2 hits in the five games, and he only had three hits in the series against Boston (.273). Rivera has a chance to show on a national stage how good he really is, and what a steal we got from the Jose Guillen deal, and he is just not putting up. The Angels brought him back, and he was solid during the regular season, but he needs to perform when it matters in Game 6 and 7.
The do or die battle rages on. Saturday afternoon in the Bronx, the Angels and Yankees get it on for an intense Game 6. I was pointing out how being down 2-3 isn't nearly as bad as being down 1-3. Right? Are you feeling the hope like I am? The Angels will send their trusty lefty Joe Saunders (0-0, 2.57) to the mound to try and get revenge for Game 2 against Andy Pettitte (1-0, 2.84). Pettite pitched 6.3 innings of 3 run ball in the Game 3 that the Angels stole in extra innings. He is one of the pitchers on the staff that we fear the least, in my opinion, and the way Joe pitched in Game 2 has me confident. Joe went 7 innings of 2 run ball in his first start in the ALCS. He nailed down 5 Ks. The downside of his outing, other than the late inning loss, was the fact that he was dead even on 10 ground outs and 10 fly outs. The reason Saunders is heading to the mound at Yankee stadium is because he is the ground ball pitcher, and it is his job to keep the home runs down. Game 6 of the ALCS has the opportunity to be the game that defines Joe's career (much like Game 7 of the 2002 World Series for Lackey). It is all up to him.
These games are killing me.
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