But then aren't they always a little shy on offense -- the best regular-season team because they can throw five quality starters out there, which makes them well-constructed for a 162-game schedule?
"I agree with our pitching we're well-constructed for the regular season," says John Lackey. "But with the people we have here, knowing their track records, I think we'll be fine on offense too.
"The biggest thing I take out of the series with Boston is the number of runs we were able to score off [Josh] Beckett. That should give our offensive guys a lot of confidence."
The Angels have five quality starters but will need only three, or at the most four, in the playoffs. That works in Boston's favor, which can do a pretty good job matching the Angels starter for starter under those conditions.
As for offense, "I think we have some bats emerging," Scioscia says, which is his wishful way of saying maybe Juan Riviera will start hitting the ball out of the park.
The Red Sox have five players capable of hitting third in the Angels' lineup: J.D. Drew, Kevin Youkilis, Manny Ramirez, David Ortiz or Mike Lowell. The Angels have Maicer Izturis hitting third.
The Angels have a general manager, of course, although his name escapes me, but knowing how much weight Scioscia carries around here, it has to be his decision if the Angels are going to do something big like pursue Mark Teixeira or Matt Holliday.
"No, I don't think we have to go outside the organization to get another bat," Scioscia said, while claiming he doesn't carry as much weight as some might think. "Our guys are swinging the bats better. We're healthier, which gives us more continuity. And our lineup has the potential of getting very deep."
The way the Angels play small ball, they have to be almost perfect. The Angels rank No. 22 hitting home runs, and a home run has a wonderful way of turning a game around that hasn't gone perfectly in a team's favor.
OK, so a year ago Garret Anderson's eyes were messed up when the Angels went to Boston, Casey Kotchman got sick, Vladimir Guerrero got plunked and Gary Matthews never made it onto the playoff roster. The Angels can argue good health will be the difference this time. They also have home-field advantage right now. But just for the sake of a trade-deadline argument, and to give the Red Sox something to ponder, what if?
