IMO this series has a very good chance of going the distance. Although the Anaheim team everyone got to see vs the Yanks slugged it out, I see both the Angels and Twins as very similar teams.
Both are very good at playing NL-style ball, station to station, manufacturing runs. Anaheim had the highest team BA in the majors, Minny #6. Both have almost identical slugging percentages. In fact, Minnesota has actually hit more HR's!
As for pitching, the Angels' starters and bp do possess a lower ERA than Minny. But I see no significant advantage for either club. Twins have given up more long balls this season, but Halos did allow more BB's. However, if you took a look at their performances in the postseason, you'll see that Minny's staff has been stingier, giving up fewer runs (vs. Oakland) and holding them to a lower BA.
Defensively, both teams have virtually identical fielding percentages. Minny's committed the fewest errors in the league. he Angels' catchers have thrown out twice as many would be base stealers, but have also allowed 20 more stolen bases. Anaheim has also turned more double plays.
Twins may appear to have more team speed (and I do think they have a slight edge), but the Angels have stolen almost 30 more bases this yr. It helps that Anaheim has a higher on base pctg. Lending to that is the fact that Anaheim has struck out the fewest times of any team in the majors. Simply put, they put the bat on the ball and are very patient at the plate. Minny, meanwhile, can't afford to have someone like Jacques Jones strike out 3 times in a game.
In the end, I believe what will determine, in large part, the outcome of this series is getting on base, making the right decisions on the basepaths, and timely hitting. In other words, small ball. Game 1 should give a good indication.
Both are very good at playing NL-style ball, station to station, manufacturing runs. Anaheim had the highest team BA in the majors, Minny #6. Both have almost identical slugging percentages. In fact, Minnesota has actually hit more HR's!
As for pitching, the Angels' starters and bp do possess a lower ERA than Minny. But I see no significant advantage for either club. Twins have given up more long balls this season, but Halos did allow more BB's. However, if you took a look at their performances in the postseason, you'll see that Minny's staff has been stingier, giving up fewer runs (vs. Oakland) and holding them to a lower BA.
Defensively, both teams have virtually identical fielding percentages. Minny's committed the fewest errors in the league. he Angels' catchers have thrown out twice as many would be base stealers, but have also allowed 20 more stolen bases. Anaheim has also turned more double plays.
Twins may appear to have more team speed (and I do think they have a slight edge), but the Angels have stolen almost 30 more bases this yr. It helps that Anaheim has a higher on base pctg. Lending to that is the fact that Anaheim has struck out the fewest times of any team in the majors. Simply put, they put the bat on the ball and are very patient at the plate. Minny, meanwhile, can't afford to have someone like Jacques Jones strike out 3 times in a game.
In the end, I believe what will determine, in large part, the outcome of this series is getting on base, making the right decisions on the basepaths, and timely hitting. In other words, small ball. Game 1 should give a good indication.
