The Red Sox were supposed to have a huge edge in the bullpen but the Angels are proving that wrong. Brian Fuentes, Darren Oliver and Kevin Jepsen have combined to work 3 1/3 scoreless innings allowing only 2 hits and 1 walk while whiffing 2 batters. With the starters working deep into the game is has masked what had been a problem earlier this season for the Angels. But, the bullpen is looking sharp so far for the Angels in the playoffs and they have their fingers crossed hoping it will continue.

John Lackey and Jered Weaver have been outstanding for the Angels in this series as they have outpitched John Lester and Josh Beckett in this series. They have combined to work 14 2/3 innings in which they have allowed only 6 hits, 1 earned run and they have whiffed 11 batters. Lackey and Weaver are 2-0 in this series with a 0.61 ERA and a 0.61 WHIP! The Angels hope they get a good start out of Scott Kazmir tomorrow so that they can put the final nail in the Red Sox’ coffin.

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.

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.

Scott Kazmir has been electric since coming over from the Rays last month. He has started 3 games for the Angels and he is 0-1 with a 1.86 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. Kazmir’s velocity appears back as well as his sharp breaking slider. But he hasn’t won a game since coming over to the West Coast. That’s because the Angels have not hit the ball well when he has been pitching. Look for Kazmir to get some wins soon as the Angels’ offense is too good to not hit randomly when he pitches.