Scott Kazmir Is Wrong for the Los Angeles Angels from the Word "Go"

If he pitches well or pitches badly, it’s not going to make a difference this year.

It won’t make a difference, because as shaky as the Angels have been with starting pitching, the real problem is the bullpen.

We saw another example of it tonight against the A’s. Jose Arredondo and Rafael Rodriguez are just the latest pitchers to contribute to a string of blown saves and poor relief appearances.

The Angels don’t need four starters in the playoffs, let alone five. And let me say it out loud one more time: The Angels will make the playoffs.

What they won’t do with the pen they have is advance—especially not against the Boston Red Sox, who will likely be their first-round opponent.

So Reagins blew it.

The Angels need a veteran reliever who can handle the seventh or eighth inning. Neither Bulger nor Jepsen is ready for playoff pressure—they’ve shown only flashes in the regular season.

Kazmir? Sure, he has a good arm and excellent potential and is a possible cover for a Lackey departure.

But that’s next year.

The Angels want to win now.

And what the Angels need now is an experienced arm to get from Darren Oliver to Brian Fuentes.

They still don’t have one. And until they do, the only way they’re getting out of the first round is to slug the living "h" out of the other team.

Possible? Yeah.

Likely?

Not three series in a row.