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A.L. West

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005

LOS ANGELES ANGELS

RHP John Lackey has rounded out his repertoire with a changeup and a cutter-slider hybrid. Those two pitches and his fastball and curve have been effective this season, and Lackey has become one of the rotation's more stable pitchers... Recently recalled 1B Casey Kotchman has gone back to hitting the ball where it's pitched rather than trying to hit home runs, and his production has improved accordingly. Kotchman will be Darin Erstad's backup and pinch hit. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: The Angels don't have a lot of power and need to manufacture runs. After a rough July in which the team's average with runners in scoring position was more than 70 points lower than its average in the first three months, manager Mike Scioscia juggled the lineup. He moved SS Orlando Cabrera from sixth to second to take some pressure off, switched Erstad from second to third and moved RF Vladimir Guerrero from third to fourth.--Mike Scarr

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TEXAS RANGERS

Phil Nevin has gotten off to a strong start with his new team. His greatest value might be as a righthanded-hitting DH because he helps balance the lineup, An injury to DH Greg Colbrunn, he ineffectiveness of OF Richard Hidalgo and the struggles of 1B Mark Teixeira from the right side had left the Rangers susceptible to lefthanded pitching. Nevin has the pop to help give the team a dynamic offense.... Trading RHP Chan Ho Park provides LHP CJ. Wilson with the chance to establish himself in the rotation. So far, Wilson has struggled mightily. The team wants him to trust his quality stuff and not worry so much about pitching to the weaknesses of hitters. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: Closer Francisco Cordero has looked sharper of late because he's mixing in a changeup with his fastball and slider. When clubs had to worry only about the fastball and slider, Cordero was somewhat vulnerable. Just giving opponents the changeup to think about helps him.--Robert Falkoff

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

1B Dan Johnson's rapid development might lead to his moving up in the order. Six of his 10 home runs have come since the All-Star break, and Johnson's knowledge of the strike zone soon might have him protecting cleanup hitter 3B Eric Chavez.... The addition of RHP Jay Witasick has given the A's three top-notch setup men. With RHPs Justin Duchscherer and Kiko Calero also at his disposal, manager Ken Macha will be able to keep the trio fresh. Another newcomer, Joe Kennedy, provides a second lefthander in the bullpen, allowing Macha to play the righty-lefty matchup game more often. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: LHP Barry Zito made a mechanical adjustment before his August 4 start at Minnesota, slightly bending forward early in his delivery to maintain better balance and keep from falling toward the fight side of the mound in his follow-through. The result: better command of his fastball and better fielding position upon his release. Zito beat the Twins, allowing four hits in eight innings.--Mychael Urban

SEATTLE MARINERS

The original plan was for RHP Felix Hernandez, perhaps the top prospect in the game, to pitch in the minors until September. But with the Mariners' having all but locked up last place, they looked to the future and recalled Hernandez, 19. He lost his big-league debut to the Tigers but allowed only one run in five innings. Hernandez throws in the mid- to high 90s and has a sharp curveball. He held Class AAA hitters to a .196 average before the promotion. Hernandez battled nerves in his first start, but manager Mike Hargrove praises Hernandez for his overall calm demeanor. If he performs well the rest of the way, Hernandez could be the staff ace in 2006. SEE A DIFFERENT GAME: With so many young players in the lineup, the team probably won't run as much as it did earlier in the season. Putting on a hit-and-run play with a rookie is risky. The team also has lost two of its top hit-and-run players: Dan Wilson is injured, and LF Randy Winn was traded to the Giants.--Jim Street

A.L. West

Sporting News, The, August 19, 2005

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