30-year old righty reliever Jason Bulger has always had good stuff but he didn’t put everything together until this year. Bulger has pitched in 62 games out of the pen for the Angels this season and he is 6-1 with 1 save, a 3.38 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP. He has whiffed 64 batters in 64 innings this season for the Angels while only allowing 45 hits showing how nasty his stuff has been. The Angels hope that he keeps up the good work in the playoffs. Previously to this season, Bulger pitched in 31 games (0 starts) in the majors and he was 1-0 with a 6.35 ERA and a 1.62 WHIP.

The Angels will likely take it slow with 22-year old righty starting pitcher Jordan Walden. Walden came into this season as the #2 rated prospect in the Angels’ system according to Baseball America. He started 13 games in AA-ball this year and he was 1-5 with a 5.25 ERA and a 1.68 WHIP. He needs to get better at missing bats as he allowed 72 hits in only 60 innings this season but he did whiff 57 batters showing that his stuff is there. There is no need to rush Walden to the majors.

31-year old Juan Rivera finally got his chance to start everyday this season and he ran with it. He has played in 127 games for the Angels this season and he is 143 for 492 (.291 avg, .816 OPS) with 67 runs scored, 23 homers and 83 RBIs. Rivera almost always makes contact as he has only whiffed 51 times this season. Rivera started the season as the DH but he has been playing a lot in the outfield due to Vladimir Guerrero’s bad wheel.

Matt Palmer has done whatever the Angels needed this season. He has pitched in 36 games (12 starts) for the Angels this season and he is 10-1 with a 4.02 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. The Angels signed him as a free agent for depth at AAA not really expecting him to help them this season but they struck gold with him. Palmer will likely stay in the bullpen for the Angels for the playoffs unless they incur some injuries in the rotation.

The Angels have been spoiled watching Francisco Rodriguez finish games the last few years. His replacement this season was lefty Brian Fuentes. Fuentes has pitched in 61 games this season and he is 1-5 with 44 saves, a 4.21 ERA and a 1.44 WHIP. All has not been good for Fuentes as he has blown 7 saves this season. The Angels are considering using Kevin Jepsen in some save situations down the stretch but I don’t agree with that move. Jepsen has pitched in 49 games in relief this season for the Angels and he is 6-3 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP. I think you need a veteran to handle the pressure of closing games in the post-season so I think the Angels will be playing with fire if they change the closer right now.