DiGiovanna: Angels’ starting pitching could make them dangerous in playoffs

Mike Butcher, the Angels’ pitching coach, said he would take Jered Weaver, Dan Haren and Ervin Santana “over anybody’s top three starters in the game.”

That would include the Philadelphia Phillies, who have the best record in baseball and a rotation led by Roy Halladay and Cliff Lee, who have three Cy Young Awards between them, and Cole Hamels and Roy Oswalt.

“Absolutely,” Butcher said. “We’re not pitching to a pitcher. I obviously respect what they do in Philadelphia. Those four guys are all very good. You can’t deny their stuff.

“But I love our three guys. They all give us a chance to win and match up well with anyone in baseball. Those three guys are as good as it gets.”

Those three guys are why many think the Angels, despite their unpredictable and often unproductive offense, soft middle-relief corps and shaky back end of the rotation, could be extremely dangerous if they reach the playoffs.

My kingdom for more Mike Trout, less Jeff Mathis, a mulligan on Vernon Wells and an above-average third baseman.