31-year old switch hitting 3B Chone Figgins tied with Alex Rodriguez of the Yankees for 10th in the MVP voting of the American League. Figgins played in 158 games for the Angels last year and he was 183 for 615 (.298 avg, .789 OPS) with 114 runs scored, 5 homers, 54 RBIs and 42 stolen bases. He has now played in 936 games in his 8-year major league career and he is 1,045 for 3,585 (.291 avg, .751 OPS) with 596 runs scored, 31 homers, 341 RBIs and 280 stolen bases. It will be very interesting to see if the Angels bring back Chone Figgins for the 2010 season and beyond as he is a free agent and a lot of teams like him.

UPDATE: Figgins has signed a 4-year deal with the division rival Mariners worth $36 million bucks. This leaves a hole at 3B and the Angels need to either add someone via trade or free agency unless they are willing to give Brandon Wood his big chance in 2010.

26-year old switch hitting Kendry Morales finally got a shot to show what he could do last season as he finished fifth in the voting for the American League MVP Award. Morales played in 152 games for the Angels last season and he was 173 for 566 (.306 avg, .924 OPS) with 86 runs scored, 34 homers and 108 RBIs. He has now played four years for the Angels playing in 279 games in which he is 267 for 943 (.283 avg, .839 OPS) with 126 runs scored, 46 homers and 153 RBIs. Look for Morales to even get better as this was his first real go around with the Angels.

The Angels have acted quick in re-signing 35-year old lefty swinging RF Bobby Abreu to a 2-year, $18 million dollar contract. The contract includes a option for the 2012 season worth $9 million bucks that can be bought out for $1 million dollars. Abreu played in 152 games for the Angels last season and he was 165 for 563 (.293 avg, .825 OPS) with 96 runs scored, 15 homers, 103 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. Abreu has now played in 1,951 games in his major league career and he is 2,111 for 7,053 (.299 avg, .897 OPS) with 1,270 runs scored, 256 homers, 1,187 RBIs and 348 stolen bases. This was a great move for the Angels who have rewarded Abreu for his outstanding season in 2009.

UPDATE: Bobby Abreu finished tied for 12th with Aaron Hill of the Blue Jays in the MVP voting in the A.L.

The Angels have three players that are swinging good bats against the Yankees. Erick Aybar has played in all 4 games for the Angels against the Yanks and he is 4 for 14 (.286 avg, .643 OPS) with 1 run scored, 1 RBI and 2 stolen bases. He has been a pest for Yankees’ pitchers when he gets on base. Howie Kendrick is swinging the best bat on the team right now. In three games against the Yanks, Kendrick is 4 for 11 (.364 avg, 1.182 OPS) with 3 runs scored, a triple, homer and 1 RBI. The Angels should consider batting Kendrick leadoff and dropping Chone Figgins to the bottom of the lineup due to his frigid bat. Backup catcher Jeff Mathis is also swinging a hot stick. He has played in 3 games against the Yanks in this series and he is 3 for 6 (.500 avg, 1.500 OPS) with 3 doubles and 1 RBI. The Angels need the rest of the lineup to start hitting or the next game will be their last of the year.

The Los Angeles Angels were able to defend their first game at home, with a thrilling extra innings win.  Jeff Mathis was the hero in game three when he drove in Howie Kendrick for the 5-4 11th inning win.  Although Mathis was the hero, manager Mike Scioscia is going with Mike Napoli as his starting catcher tonight in game four.  There is good reason for this though.  The Yankees are starting their ace C.C. Sabathia and Napoli was 8-12 (.667 avg) against Sabathia in the regular season.  He also had one of only four hits the Angels got off Sabathia in their game one loss.

Game three was a big momentum swing for the Angels and I think they should be able to ride that momentum to another home win to even the series.  If they don’t win tonight, I think they will be done.  They have Scott Kazmir starting, so if Kazmir can keep the game close with Sabathia, then the Angels may be able to get themselves another late game win.  He needs to be careful with Alex Rodriguez though, who has been a home-run machine this posteason.  Hopefully the Angels’ hitters can get to Sabathia early though, since the Yankee ace is pitching on short rest.  This has been an exciting series, with two games decided in extra innings.  I am expecting another exciting close one tonight, with the Angels edging out the Yankees to even the series.