Despite Troy Glaus’s declined productivity this season, the Anaheim Angels are in control of the talent-laden AL West. In the offseason, many baseball clairvoyants picked the Angels to finish fourth in the West below the Rangers. Last year’s team finished 41 games out of first last year, this year’s team stands at a remarkable 94-56. Is it a question of good players playing over there heads for an entire year? No. If that were the case, they would’ve most certainly burned out by now (see the Orioles). The Angels have won with a healthy combination of solid starting pitching, a dominant bullpen and a rock-hard defense.

The top three starters boast ERA’s less than four, with young sensation Jarrod Washburn leading the way (191.2 innings pitched, 3.24 ERA). Troy Percival has dominated his ninth inning appearances, again proving he is one of the finest closers in baseball. Percival has logged 39 saves in 42 attempts this year with a 1.69 ERA in 53.1 innings pitched. With solid contributions from Brendan Donnelly, Scot Shields and Al Levine, the Angels pen has been close to unhittable.

Offensively, it’s no secret — the Angels get on base. Of the nine everyday starters, only four have an on-base percentage less than .350. While Glaus’s average has been less than mediocre this year, he is still putting up huge power numbers. Outfielder Garret Anderson is proving once more why he should no longer be the most underrated and unnoticed player in the American League. He is batting .313 with 26 homeruns and 114 RBI.

From top to bottom, the Angels are the most complete team in the American League. The question isn’t whether they’ll make the playoffs. The question is whether they will enter the playoffs as AL West champions or Wild Card winners …

The Yankees will not make it out of the first round of the playoffs. I’ll take any bets on that one. With an aging Roger Clemens and David Wells, an injured Andy Petitte and a pitcher in Mike Mussina who will never be as good as he’s billed to be, the Yankees are set up for failure. Their lineup, while more potent (215 homeruns), is also leading the league in strikeouts. This recklessness at the plate will only hinder their performance when they face the best pitching the American League has to offer. Star closer Mariano Rivera has been hurt most of the year, and the remainder of the bullpen is ineffective, most recently blowing a 7-5 lead going into the ninth …

Angels outfielder Darin Erstad is one of the defensive anchors who has helped Anaheim to an impressive 94-56 record. Photo courtesy of KRT Campus

Why is Patrick Ewing’s career not being celebrated? Recently, the former Knicks, Sonics and Magic center retired from the game of basketball. Following his announcement, the talk has centered on his place among the greatest centers of all time. His 17-year career speaks for itself. He is an 11-time All-Star, who is also one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. In his career, he scored 24,815 points and pulled down 11,606 boards. Ewing, despite never winning an NBA Championship, has established himself among the game’s greatest. Ewing will continue his NBA career as an assistant coach for the Washington Wizards, where he is sure to have a huge impact with the Wizards young core of frontcourt players …

Who said contraction? Nearly a full season after Selig suggested Major League Baseball contract the Twins, Minnesota has clinched the AL Central, securing their second consecutive winning season. It’s the first time the Twins have done that since 1991-92 during the Kirby Puckett era. The small-market franchise has survived on the standard formula of pitching and defense. While they will probably be knocked out in the first round, the Twins have made believers out of many baseball fans, and with a few key additions could very much be in serious World Series contention next season …