Darren Oliver has been very solid since winning a job in the Angels’ bullpen last season after being a sub par starting pitcher most of his career. Before he became an Angel he had pitched in 351 games (228 starts) in his major league career and he was 91-79 with 2 saves, a 4.98 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP. Since Oliver has come to the Angels he has pitched in 93 games (0 starts) and he is 5-2 with a 3.54 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. He has really been solid this season as he has worked in 32 games (0 starts) and he is 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. Oliver has been a workhorse out of the pen for the Angels this season as he has worked more innings than any other reliever on the team.

24-year old righty reliever Jose Arredondo has been a lifesaver this season for the Angels. He filled in as the primary set up man in the Angels’ bullpen while Scot Shields was injured and he did a great job. He has pitched in 17 games (0 starts) for the Angels this season and he is 2-0 with a 1.40 ERA and a 0.72 WHIP. Arredondo has been throwing bullets as evidenced by his 19 whiffs in 19.1 innings. The Angels’ bullpen is devastating now that it’s at full strength essentially making you have to beat them in the first six innings of the game.

You would never know that John Lackey has missed most of the season with the way he has pitched in his first two games of the 2008 season. Lackey has started 2 games for the Angels this season and he is 1-0 with a 1.29 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. His velocity is there and he has whiffed 10 batters while only walking 4 in 14 innings. This is a good sign for the Angels as the rotation is very deep and talented.

The Angels appeared ready to stick a fork in Garrett Anderson after his performance in April but he’s started off May on a vengeance. Anderson has played in 10 games this May and he is 11 for 34 (.324 avg, 1.008 OPS) with 6 runs scored, 3 homers and 10 RBIs. His recent surge has improved his season numbers big time. Anderson has played in 36 games this season for the Angels and he is 35 for 142 (.246 avg, .697 OPS) with 18 runs scored, 5 homers and 21 RBIs. Anderson will continue to play everyday and bat cleanup as long as he’s swinging a hot stick.

Many thought that the Angels were in trouble when John Lackey and Kelvim Escobar started the season on the D.L. but Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders have both stepped up big time for the team. Santana and Saunders were set to battle for the 5th starter job in spring training but the injuries opened up spots for both of them and they seemed to relax and let their talent work for them. Santana has started 7 games this season for the Angels and he is 6-0 with a 2.02 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP. He always has had the talent but he had constant brain freezes when pitching on the road. That has not been a problem at all this season. Saunders has to be more fine than Santana because his stuff isn’t as good but he has really pitched well this season. Saunders has started 7 games for the Angels this season and he is 6-0 with a 2.61 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP. If these guys both keep pitching as well as they are right now the Angels will have no problem winning the American League West.