LA Angels In Heaven

The LA Angels are now 5-3 after losing two of three at Seattle - and winning two of three against the New York Yankees at home. They are in the final game of a home series against Texas and will be looking to complete the sweep tonight.

The Angels' Kelvim Escobar comes up against Texas' John Koronka in the pitching battle. Los Angeles is at -180 with an over / under of 9.5 runs.

The Angels spent most of the winter looking for a slugger to take their place with Vladimir Guerrero in the line-up.

They finally brought in Tim Salmon, a favourite of the LA crowd, to help at DH. This means the Angels will be relying on outfielders Anderson and Erstad, as well as first baseman Casey Kotchman - to have good offensive years. Unfortunately, Anderson and Erstad are both getting on it a bit - so will have to pull out good performances this season.

Defense and Pitching is what makes the LA Angels a World Series contender this season. The team has five solid starters, all right-handed. John Lackey, Bartolo Colon and Kelvim Escobar are at the top of the rotation - while Ervin Santana is at the bottom. Santana is a very promising young guy.

Relief pitching is also in good shape for the Angels. Francisco Rodriguez is one of the best closers in the game and Scot Shields would be a closer almost anywhere else.

What gives?

The Angels have been to the playoffs - three out of the last four years with a World Series Championship in 2002. They have as much young talent as any team in baseball -in the Major and Minor leagues.

The Angels are always dangerous because of their pitching - a potent weapon in the post season - but first they need to get there. With the competition hot in the American League, that is certainly not a foregone conclusion.

The Los Angeles Angels are 25/1 to win the World Series and 12/1 to win the American League.