Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
One Step Away
()
The glory and allure of the their 2002 World Series run has long faded away, but even though these ain’t your older brother’s Angels, they also ain’t facing your grandpa’s Yankees.Going up 2-1 after a beatdown of Randy Johnson, the Angels are primed to take the series sooner than later, although Saturday’s rainout makes “later” an equally possible option. Jarrod Washburn’s experience three years ago undoubtedly gives him the edge over the talented but untested Shawn Chacon, the last person Yankee fans thought would be pitching meaningful playoff games for them after the offseason acquisitions of Carl Pavano, Jaret Wright and Johnson.
Should the Angels lose, a rested Bartolo Colon – the proven ace they lacked in 2002 – will be ready to pick up the slack in Game 5. The pitching has been vital, but the bigger story is the reawakening of the offense. After a relatively quiet first two games where Garret Anderson and Vladimir Guerrero combined for just one hit the Halos exploded in Game 3, turning ThunderStix from a product into a description.
Entry by Alex Delanian
Support for LAist comes from
The Angels are making a smart decision by not taking the postponed game as an opportunity to push up Colon's start to finish off the series in New York. Although Colon is in the ending stages of a Cy Young caliber year, Jarrod Washburn has been having a solid season well. Don't be misled by the 8-8 record, Washburn's 2.65 road ERA this year is something any team would welcome in a highly contested playoff series.
The other thing any team would welcome in a situation like this is Shawn Chacon on the other side of the hill. Minor success in the second half of the season aside, this is still Shawn Chacon. The same Shawn Chacon who lost the role of closer in Colorado (because the Rockies have solid pitching options lined up around Coors Field, right?), and the same Shawn Chacon who has a career batting average against of .300 against the likely starters in the Angels' lineup.
Interestingly enough, the only Angels player Chacon has had success against is Vladimir Guerrero, but that's because "strike zone" is not in Vlad's vocabulary. There's eight other players to get through, however, which means the Angels will have plenty of opportunities to keep the bats alive.
This bullpen isn't the 2002 bullpen and Game 3 aside, the offense has fallen off too, but with two very winnable games ahead, two talented pitchers ready to take the mound and an overrated White Sox squad looming afterwards, these Angels have the potential to fulfill Arte Moreno's dream of turning this squad into L.A.'s team.
Entry by Alex Delanian
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Children asked to waive right to see a judge in exchange for $2,500 -
There’s still a lot to be determined as the refinery, which supplies about one-fifth of Southern California's vehicle fuels, works to restore production and as data is collected. -
The FCC voted to end E-Rate discounts for library hotspot lending and school bus Wi-Fi. -
About half the Pacific Airshow’s 2025 lineup has been grounded because of the federal government shutdown. -
USC says it’s reviewing the letter also sent to eight other prestigious schools nationwide. California's governor vowed that any California universities that sign will lose state funding. -
Scientists say La Niña is likely, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a dry winter in Southern California.
Best of LAist