For heavens sake, don’t wager against Halos on the road

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim might be about the least imposing team to have the best record in the American League in years. Their 46-30 record in certainly impressive, yet their run differential on the season is only +13, which is seventh in the AL, or 50 behind Oakland, who is in second place in the AL West. The Angels are a paltry 11th in runs scored in the junior circuit, yet put this club in the traveling grays and good luck trying to hang a loss on this group.

After a less than impressive showing at home against Atlanta and the Mets in which they lost four of six, L.A. of Ana. flew cross-country to face Philadelphia, who was playing exceptional baseball. The Phillies have been one of the top scoring teams in baseball and seemed destined to at the very least take the series against the Angels. Instead, manager Mike Scioscia’s club grabbed the lead early in all three games and completed an unlikely sweep in the City of Brotherly Love.

Los Angeles is one of only five teams in major league baseball to possess a winning record on the road at 24-12 (+13-4 units), which happens to be more games over .500 (12) than the other four teams combined (10). How do they do it? It starts quality starting pitching. John Lackey (Monday’s starter), Joe Saunders, and Ervin Santana (Wednesday’s starter) are a combined 24-7, with Santana having the worst ERA among the three at a superb 3.17. John Garland (6-4) has had is moments and Jered Weaver (7-7), after a brutal beginning has won five of last seven starts to square up record at .500. The Angels middle relievers have been spotty, accounting for poor run differential, as they have lost nine games by five or more runs. Despite an ordinary 4.11 ERA, collectively this troop has really buckled down on the road with 2.93 ERA, with baseball’s best closer Francisco Rodriguez. The whirling dervish has a baseball best 30 saves and though he’s had less command at different points (19 walks- 34 innings), K-Rod has settled down when needed. Los Angeles only allows 3.5 runs per game on the road.

The offense is far from spectacular, despite a payroll that should suggest otherwise. Gary Mathews Jr parlayed one big year into excessive contract and is batting meager .243. Torii Hunter has only been average with .276 BA and nine home runs, and Garrett Anderson will be 36 years old next week and looks it. The most important bat in the lineup is Vladimir Guerrero, who after an extremely slow start is on the rise, and was a one man wrecking crew against the Phillies. Vlad’s recent surge has him hitting .289, still well below .323 career batting average. If any of the other outfielders start to come around, they’ll blend nicely with Chone Figgins, Casey Kotchman and Howie Kendrick, who are all above or near .300 batting average.

Los Angeles figures to be favored in all three games against Washington in our nation’s capital, as the Nationals have the worst record in the National League at 30-47. In one aspect this is too bad for a team like the Halos who are 13-7 as road underdogs this season. Certainly this club is capable of offensive explosions, but has too many free swingers, which holds them back from being consistent and is among the reasons why they are the second best Under team in baseball at 45-25-6. To date, Scioscia’s club appears more comfortable in lower scoring games with 35-18 record in contests decided by three or less runs.

Now is not the time to start betting against this heavenly bunch. Los Angeles is a -220 series favorite at most wagering locations to continue winning ways.