Los Angeles Angels see resurgence of 2 veteran pitchers

The Los Angeles Angels have a somewhat silent battle going on between Hector Santiago and Jered Weaver for the 5th spot in the rotation.  After one round (their most recent start) they are neck and neck.

When the Los Angeles Angels went into the season they had eight starting pitchers battling for five spots in the rotation….  Stop me if you’ve heard this before.  Due to injuries that have decimated the Angels since the season started the rotation dwindled down to four starters which included newcomer Jhoulys Chacin acquired in a mid-May trade.

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Now the Angels have Nick Tropeano, who has been one of the top starters so far this season, about to come off the disabled list. In addition free agent signee Tim Lincecum made a successful Angels debut Saturday afternoon, the Angels’ current rotation will need to have one current member of their rotation move to the bullpen.

Up to this point due to recent performances, Santiago and Weaver were the most likely candidates for a demotion to the bullpen. With last Wednesday’s and against Minnesota and this Tuesday’s starts for Santiago and Sunday’s start for Jered Weaver being possibly their last chance to prove themselves, both veteran’s delivered stand out performances.

First Santiago last Wednesday shut down the Twins for six innings on two hits and one run getting the win in a 10-2 victory.  Then yesterday, Jered Weaver came through with a turn-back-the-clock performance pitching a complete game three-hit shutout in beating the Oakland A’s 2-0.  The complete game was Weaver’s first in over a year and the shutout was his first since 2012 and it couldn’t have come at a better time for Weaver or the Angels.

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So now Mike Scioscia has an interesting dilemma facing him when Tropeano is activated in the next week.  Who is the odd man out? Weaver or Santiago?  Or could it be behind Door #3 Jhoulys Chacin who is 2-2 with a 4.75 ERA with the Angels thus far in seven starts. Chacin could also put himself in this mix if he has a poor performance in Houston Monday evening.

I just find it kind of interesting how Angels starters who are on the brink of being demoted to the bullpen. suddenly seem to respond I hopes of saving their starting spot.  Will Chacin be the next Angels pitcher to be added to the list with a good start Monday?  We will see after tonight’s game.

Next: Angels Prospect Watch

Here’s hoping the Angels staff will continue to excel and help the team get back in the playoff race. It will be an interesting next week to see how things play out.  Who will be the odd man out? As Mike Scioscia has said many times before, we will cross that bridge when we come to it.