|
|
Angels' mood belies weather forecast
Admin
Sat, 24 Oct 2009 06:54:00 GMT
|
(AP) -- Chone Figgins and the Los Angeles Angels know they're heading straight into more than one kind of storm, and they can't wait to get wet.
Heavy showers in today's New York forecast are threatening to wash out Game 6 of the AL Championship Series, yet that's a minor drizzle compared with the high-pressure system the Angels created for both themselves and the Yankees by extending the ALCS to the weekend.
Rejuvenated by rallying to win Game 5 and cutting the Yankees' series lead to 3-2, the Angels still face long odds to make the seldom-seen comeback from a 3-1 series deficit against their star-studded opponents. Yet Figgins and pitcher Joe Saunders still sense a teamwide confidence that the Angels can rain on the Yankees' 27th championship parade.
"They are the favorites, but we've got obviously a lot of confidence, a lot of momentum," said Saunders, the Angels' Game 6 starter. "It's going to be the usual Yankee hostile environment. It's going to be a lot of fun. They're going to be all over us."
The Yankees had a major-league-best 57-24 record at their new home this season, including a 36-10 mark since June 30. They lost consecutive home games only once in that stretch.
If Game 6 is postponed and the Angels force a Game 7, manager Mike Scioscia says he would consider bringing back ace John Lackey on three days' rest to pitch against Yankees stalwart CC Sabathia, who already has shut down the Angels twice in the series.
Lackey confounded the Yankees for six innings of Game 5 before Scioscia removed him with the bases loaded and two outs in the seventh, precipitating New York's six-run comeback.
McCourts' effect on team: Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti says it has been business as usual running the team despite owner Frank McCourt firing his estranged wife from her position as CEO of the club.
Colletti, who recently received a long-term contract extension from McCourt, said that he doesn't anticipate any cutbacks in resources as he tries to mold the team for 2010.
The 16 potential free agents among Dodgers players is the most among major-league teams. They include Manny Ramirez, who must decide if he will exercise his $20 million option.
|
|
|