Big Joe Saunders

How big has Joe Saunders been? 11 wins, tops in the Majors. I remember last year when he was sent down and I told him he'd be back soon and he'd be back for good. Well, he's here and he's been huge. He has more experience under his belt and has really settled into his role. He was up and down from the minors in the past because of our pitching depth, not for a lack of talent by any means. With Escobar and myself our early this year, he knew he could relax and go out every fifth day and do his job. He has learned how to be a professional and he's got ice water in his veins, never gets rattled. He prepares well for each start and his command has been spot on. He watches video, studies hitters and asks a lot of questions. Mostly, he has learned what is takes to be successful at this level. He keeps us in every game and has figured out how to be efficient with his pitches to last deeper into the game. He's been amazing and so has Santana. They have both stepped up big time. It's no secret that pitching has been the foundation for the Angels' success. In order for this team to get where we want, the pitching has to be up to par. Guys definitely feed off each other when there is success. Its been cool to see these guys match each other start after start. Santana goes again tonight - let's keep it rollin'

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• pelechati said June 25, 2008

  You guys just keep pilling on the wins. Wait till Vlad gets his bat going.
  
  
  

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• Mozster said June 25, 2008

  I agree with your assessment John. Saunders has been excellent all season.

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• oflarity said June 25, 2008

  saunders is definitely on my cy young short list

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  • pelechati replied June 25, 2008

    Where can we find this list oflarity?
    • oflarity replied June 25, 2008

      over at www.thesportsmuffin.com, of course, my bald friend
• lightitup said June 25, 2008

  Joe's numbers the last two years were decent enough but the thing that impressed me was the number of very good games he threw. He had a few stinkers that bumped his numbers, but the number of very good games told me Joe was going to be a big part of the rotation in no time. As I'm writing this Speier loaded the bases with no outs then got a K, a pop-up and has Belliard 1-2.... and gets the 3-1 ground out to get out of it. Props to Scoiscia for letting Justin get out of his own mess. Gotta come back and win this one now! Good luck Sunday, John!

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• cdobyns7 said June 25, 2008

  Big john , great game the other nite . I met u when u where KC last year and since have been a big angels fan in a town with a triple AAA team a.k.a The royals Keep up the great work Thanks for the autograph also and debbie your cousin says hey
  PS what was the deal with baseballs

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  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    Thanks for the compliment. I think I remember you! Thanks for supporting the Halos
• DJ2PierceRomo said June 26, 2008

  John, nice to see that your teaching is rubbing off on younger players. I think the league needs more teaching from vets to improve the youth in the game. Coaching is great and is definitely necessary, but player coaching and encouragement doesn't get enough attention. I'm a huge Yankee fan, but I respect what you do John. Your one of my favorite starters in the bigs that isn't in Yankee pinstripes. Good luck. P.S. Come to the Bronx and head our staff.

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  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    I was fortunate enough to learn from some veterans so it feels natural to pass on some of the things I have learned to some of our other guys.
• johnlackeyfan said June 26, 2008

  i believe that all of you guys have been doing outstnading! with the bats getting warmer maybe we can take it all this year!!!!

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• lizmoses said June 26, 2008

  This is off the subject, sorry, going to be in Luguna on the 4th at the Ritz. I know that's kinda far from Anaheim, but will be out in cali, good luck on Sunday, come out if you can.

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• BrianC6234 said June 27, 2008

  I just read a great LA Times article on Joe Saunders. It's too bad he's still insecure about keeping his job though. I can't see how he loses his spot to anyone unless all of a sudden he can't get anyone out and gives up ten runs in the first every start. As long as he pitches like he has so far he deserves to stick around.
  
  Joe might want to get sick more often. That game when he was sick was probably his best start ever.

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  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    Once you start pitching like this game owes you something, you will come crashing down hard. I think Joe means he has to go out and compete every time out. Just like he is fighting for a job. It keeps the focus sharp.
• BrianC6234 said June 28, 2008

  It's already a day after the ugly 6-0 loss to the doggies and I'm still steaming. First, the ump was horrible. I've never seen such a one-sided strikezone. He was calling everything strikes for the Dodger pitchers. He squeezed Saunders all night. I can't believe the pitches he expected the Angels to swing at. Balls at their feet were called strikes.
  
  The offense though needs to start earning their pay. Saunders didn't have his best stuff but he was facing the lowly doggies. We should be talking about Joe's 12th win. Instead the Angels got shut out by a horrible pitcher. Yuck.
  
  Please Angels, do something about this mediocre hitting. Vlad needs to start producing a lot more. No more hacking at bad pitches in the middle of big rallies. He has way too many DPs already. And he seems to be teaching Howie all his bad habits. That needs to stop. Howie is supposed to be the best pure hitter on the team but lately he's been as bad as Vlad in rallies.
  
  At least take the next two against the lowly doggies.

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• BrianC6234 said June 28, 2008

  Lackey - You better hit a couple homers on Sunday. This offense the Angels have is completely worthless. Even with good pitching the Angels are struggling to beat the lowly Doggies. This is just sad. I can't believe how bad these guys look. Someone needs to talk to them already and tell them to earn their millions.

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• BrianC6234 said June 29, 2008

  Wow, the ump sure squeezed you in the 9th. He just robbed you of a great complete shutout game. I can't believe how horrible all the umps have been in this series. I hope K-rod can get a quick out and save your win.

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• dsiano6447 said June 29, 2008

  John you always pitch a great game. I just knew you could do it. Good luck on playing Oakland. That's my brothers team. We have a nice friendly bet. Thanks for being #1 Donna

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• mdedeaux said June 29, 2008

  Good start the other day against The Dodgers. You dominated us.

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  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    That was a fun and weird series at the same time. I'm glad we snuck out of there with a "W" the last game.
• CLJones said June 30, 2008

  Great Game today...fine Job man. Work of a true #1 starter. Nice to see your prediction about saunders has come true...now if you just could talk to Weaver about his pacing, temper and number of pitches he throws.....

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• BrianC6234 said July 01, 2008

  It's a shame to see so much good pitching wasted this year because of a horrible offense. Lackey, I think you need to keep some butts and tell these guys to start earning their pay. You can't win on pitching alone. This offense is just sick. Vlad and Torii are horrible right now. This can't be allowed to continue. you pitchers should talk to the hitters and tell them how it's going to be. The outfielders make most of the money so I say they can start carrying part of the load.

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• lizmoses said July 01, 2008

  cancel that, the boys are coming to town, and that's something I don't miss out on.

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• hobbescene said July 01, 2008

  Joe has been great, and so has the whole staff, but what happens when Kelvim Escobar comes back? Will someone go to the bullpen?

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• lizmoses said July 02, 2008

  Will be at W, on Monday after the game swimming, they got a great pool there, come on out! Good luck to the Angels and I wish you guys the best stay in Texas!

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• JASON323_310 said July 02, 2008

  MAN THAT GARRET ANDERSON HR LAST NIGHT WAS CRAZY !!!!!

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• lightitup said July 02, 2008

  Congrats on being named AL Pitcher of the Month, Big John!
  
  You are THE MAN!

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• dsiano6447 said July 02, 2008

  Great game! I won the bet I had with my brother. Free dinner the next time I go up to Livermore, CA. Stay cool on your day off and good luck on Saturday. Donna

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  • John_Lackey replied July 07, 2008

    Thanks Donna - glad to help out on a winning bet!
• BrianC6234 said July 08, 2008

  Wow, Joe pitched a great game in Texas. Eight innings, only three runs. And another lousy loss. I didn't like our chances when I saw the lineup. No Casey Kotchman and no Juan Rivera. what does Casey have to do to play when the Angels face a lefty? And what does Juan have to do to play? I keep hearing all this crazy talk about the Angels needing another bat. They play those two guys though and that talk goes away. I don't understand how Mike Scioscia can put that lineup on the field though in a game facing the explosive Texas offense. It ended up a pitching duel probably because of rain but you have to play your best lineup in those games.

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• fantasyyankees said July 13, 2008

  Ervin + Joe + John= damn good

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