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Angels try to work magic against Yankees once again
2009-10-16
NEW YORK (Reuters) - The Los Angeles Angels have had more success than any other American League team against the Yankees since 1996, but the visitors expect a tough fight in their American League Championship Series. "It's been anything but easy for us," Angels manager Mike Scioscia told reporters on the eve of Friday's opener of their best-of-seven series. "They've been an incredible team." The Angels have posted a 73-63 record against the Yankees since the 'Bronx Bombers' began a mid-90s run of four World Series titles in five years, along with two further unsuccessful trips to the Fall Classic. "I don't know if there's any rhyme or reason for it," Scioscia said of the Angels' success by combining speed, defense and skilled pitching to neutralize New York. "I don't think there's been any dominance. It's been good ballclubs that we've had playing against their ballclub." This year Los Angeles had a 97-65 mark during the regular season, while the Yankees were a major league-best 103-59. "But you can take all that and throw it out. Right now it's a different environment, different series. We know we have our work cut out for us," the Los Angeles skipper said. The Angels, who ousted the Yankees in the first round of playoffs in 2002 and 2005, and went on to win the 2002 World Series, are using a slightly different formula this season. "I think in the past we have been much more dependent on what we've created on the bases than I think we did this year," said Scioscia, whose team still stole 148 bases, including 42 from Chone Figgins. "I don't think our offense was as dependent on what we did on the basepaths this year as it had been in previous years." Scioscia said his team also hit better than in the past. In an unusual twist, the Yankees have Mark Teixeira batting third in their lineup after he left the Angels last year as a free agent -- and the Angels have New York's former number three hitter Bobby Abreu in that spot in their order. "Tex, he's a special player," Scioscia said. "A lot of talent. Obviously we wanted to re-sign him. He's had an incredible year with the Yankees ... but we're a little deeper in some areas by not having to put resources into Mark." Teixeira hit 39 homers, drove in 122 runs and batted .292 for New York. Abreu had 15 home runs, 103 RBIs and hit .293. The Yankees signed Teixeira, 29, to an eight-year deal worth a reported $180 million. Los Angeles inked Abreu, 35, to a one-year, $5 million contract. "He's been incredible for us this season," Scioscia said about his Venezuelan outfielder. "When he comes into your clubhouse, into your meetings, into your practice sessions...there aren't many guys that have matched his passion for playing the game. "Bobby loves baseball and he's an incredible student of the game. I think that's why he's such a tough out in the batter's box." (Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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 Yankees revel in victory, tough decisions ahead (2009-11-05) | | Ecstasy in the Bronx! Yankees win title No. 27 (2009-11-05) | | Matsui powers Yankees to World Series title (2009-11-04) | | Yankees, Angels tied at 2 through 6 in ALCS Game 2 (2009-10-17) |  Angels try to work magic against Yankees once again (2009-10-16) | | Is this the year - at last - for the New York Yankees? (2009-10-08) | | Yankees sweep Rays to open 9-game lead in AL East (2009-09-08) | | On the board: Yanks earn first win against Red Sox (2009-08-07) | | Crawford, bullpen lead AL to 4-3 win over NL (2009-07-15) | | Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay to start All-Star game (2009-07-13) | | Pettitte, home runs power Yankees over Rays 5-3 (2009-06-08) | | Yankees set errorless record in win over Indians (2009-06-01) | | A-Rod, Yankees rally for 3 in 9th to beat Lidge (2009-05-24) | | Rodriguez, Sabathia lead Yankees over Orioles 4-0 (2009-05-08) | | Orioles beat up on Yankees, Sabathia in opener (2009-04-06) | | A-Rod hopes to play season with injured right hip (2009-03-05) | | Selig says Alex Rodriguez 'shamed the game' (2009-02-12) | | Pettitte, Yankees agree at $5.5 million (2009-01-27) | | Some baseball owners call for salary cap (2009-01-14) | | AP Sources: Teixeira agrees to $180M Yankees deal (2008-12-23) | | Angels withdraw offer to slugger Teixeira (2008-12-22) | | Rich get richer: Yankees add Burnett to Sabathia (2008-12-13) | | NY, NY: Yanks and Mets big winners at meetings (2008-12-11) | | AP sources: K-Rod, Mets agree at $37M (2008-12-10) | | Red Sox beat Angels 3-2, move on to ALCS (2008-10-07) |
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