Around the Halo 4/6/2009

FINALLY, MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL HAS COME BACK TO ANAHEIM!

It's Opening Day 2009 and here are your Los Angeles Angels

Pitchers (12)

Starting Rotation: Joe Saunders, Jered Weaver, Dustin Mosley, Nick Adenhart, Shane Loux

Bullpen: Brian Fuentes, Scot Shields, Jose Arredondo, Darren Oliver, Justin Speier, Kevin Jespen, Jason Bulger

Catchers (2)
Jeff Mathis, Mike Napoli

Infielders (6)
Erick Aybar, Chone Figgins, Howie Kendrick, Kendry Morales, Macier Izturis, Robb Quinlan

Outfielders (5)
Bobby Abreu, Torii Hunter, Vladimir Guerrero, Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews Jr.

Pitchers John Lackey, Kelvim Escobar and Ervin Santana will open on the disabled list.

Angels catcher Jeff Mathis worked extensively on his hitting this spring because he didn't want people to "think of him as an out".

Props to Jeff on the hard work, he had an impressive spring hitting .349 4 hrs 13 rbi. He also walked more than he struck out. It's quite possible that between Mathis & Napoli the Angels could have the strongest offense from the catching position in the league. Despite Mathis' .194 ba last season the two backstops combined for 29 hrs and 91 RBI.

It's important that the Halos get as much offense as possible to begin the year as the back end of the rotation is inexperienced. Michael Becker of the Press-Enterprise takes a look.

The Angels have focused on plate discipline this spring. If the philosophy takes the Angels could go from a middle of the pack offense to an top 5 team in scoring. LA Times Mike DiGiovanna writes about how some of the players who normally swing at anything have made strides.

Brian Downing talks to the OC Register about his upcoming induction into the Angels Hall of Fame.

Game 1 - Joe Saunders (0-0, 0.00) vs Dallas Braden (0-0, 0.00) at 6:05 pm Angels Stadium. The game will be broadcast on FSW (locally), ESPN (nationally) and on radio at AM830