MLB 2011: Top Players from each team in American League – Part 5
Michael Young’s form would be essential for Texas Rangers’ success this season. The Most Valuable Player of the 2006 All-Star Game and the winner of the 2008 Gold Glove Award, Young has exhibited his talent by playing at various positions for the Rangers.
Basically a designated hitter, he has played at first base, second base as well as third base. His flexibility on the field allows his team to use him strategically in accordance with the game’s situation.
The Los Angeles Angels are a constant threat to Rangers’ supremacy at the top of the American League West division with just a slender difference separating both sides. Young and Ian Kinsler will play a decisive role for the Rangers while the Angels will
depend on Jered Weaver to silence the batting force of the Rangers.
Weaver is a quick-tempered starting pitcher and has the ability and the arsenal to topple any batting unit on his day. He has displayed his talent this season too with two complete-game shutouts and more than 150 strike-outs for the season already.
Weaver’s success is pinned to his consistency from the mound which, at this level, is not an easy ask. The 6ft 7in machine has the best earned-run average in the Majors and is a bright candidate for the Cy Young Award for his brilliancy this season. He is
striking-out batters at will and winning games as they come.
Weaver’s loss against the Detroit Tigers on July 31 was his first loss after seven consecutive wins and he was handed a six-game suspension after the loss for his rowdy pitching. Nonetheless, the Angels are still in strong contention to overtake the top
notch in the West division. Their pitching unit is strong and they need to replicate this form in their batting performances too for a solid fight if they do manage to make it to the postseason.
Weaver is nearing 1000 career strike-outs and an exceptional end to the season can see Weaver achieve this milestone as early as this season. His form and his behaviour will be vital for the Angels as they advance in their quest for a possible berth in the
postseason.
The Oakland Athletics are in tough competition with the Seattle Mariners to avoid the last berth in the AL West division and there is only a slender margin which separates both teams. The Athletics and the Mariners have been equally poor in leaking runs
but the Mariners have stepped ahead in scoring runs and have the worst record in the Majors.
However, having said that, the Mariners still have a chance to finish better than the A’s after a streak of 17 losses. The A’s have a long list of injury ridden players and this might halt their progress in the season. Coco Crisp has stood out as the most
dependable batter in the A’s bull-pen and it would be vital to see how far the switch-hitter can guide his team.
The Mariners have a strong roster on the paper but their players have failed to leave a mark this season. Ichiro Suzuki has failed miserably at the plate and their batting is rated 30th in the list of 30 teams.
Felix Hernandez has impressed for the Mariners from the mound this season and it will be interesting to see if he can guide the Mariners past the A’s in the battle of glory.
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