Angels Overcome Struggles to Stay in Hunt for October (VIDEO)

A couple of weekends ago, when Huston Street blew a save, with the Astros scoring 5 runs in the top of 9th inning, I'd pretty much given up on the Angels. I didn't even turn on the television a couple of nights when Anaheim was at Seattle.

So imagine my pleasant surprise at the heart these guys had during this week's series against the Astros, and before that, the Twins. The team is 1 1/2 games behind Houston in the wildcard race, and 4 games behind the Rangers for the lead in the American League West. The last home stand, the first week of October, is against Texas, so it should be exiting all the way down to the wire.

At the Los Angeles Times, "Angels overcome distractions, slumps and struggles to stay in playoff hunt":

The Angels haven't exactly thrived in this season of tumult, which began with Josh Hamilton's substance-abuse relapse, banishment and trade to Texas, included General Manager Jerry Dipoto's abrupt resignation July 1 and a brutal August in which they went 10-19 and averaged fewer than three runs a game.

They are 78-74, the mediocre record a reflection of the struggles of several pitchers and players they were counting on and injuries to pitcher C.J. Wilson, third baseman David Freese, second baseman Johnny Giavotella and first baseman Albert Pujols.

But they've survived, and with 10 games left they are 1 1/2 games behind Houston for the second American League wild-card spot entering Friday night's game against Seattle in Anaheim.

"These guys have filtered out every distraction and just came in and played ball," Manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're definitely proud of that. There's a lot of veteran leadership in there, and the coaching staff has been incredible in keeping these guys where they need to be."

That the Angels are still alive is a testament to their resolve, the talents of high-end performers such as Mike Trout, Kole Calhoun, Erick Aybar, Garrett Richards, Andrew Heaney and Huston Street and the maturation of rookies Carlos Perez and Trevor Gott.

And it helps that the other wild-card challengers — Houston, Minnesota, Baltimore and Cleveland — are every bit as flawed as the Angels, with holes in their lineups, rotations and bullpens that make them susceptible to uneven play.

But as the Kansas City Royals proved again last October, it doesn't matter how you get to the postseason.

"Anything can happen then," Freese said. "You look back on the season and wish you did this or that early on; it's just human nature to do that. But when you're in a position to get in, that's all you can ask for."

The Angels are 13-8 in September and coming off two pressure-packed, one-run wins in Houston that imbued them with the confidence and mettle to win playoff-like games. They're heating up at the right time.

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