Play-off Relievers: Who's in?

My last posting asked the question who would be the Angels #3 starter in the upcoming play-offs.  Just as important is who will be in the Angels' bullpen this post season.  Here are the candidates (all stats as of 9/18):

Francisco Rodriguez - RH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	BS	WHIP	ERA
72	65.0	53	17	4	34	74	2	3	59	0	7	1.34	2.35

Frankie has saved 59 games this season, a new single season record, but many of his saves weren't automatic.  In more than half of his appearances K-Rod has allowed either a base hit or walk, sometimes both (as evident by his higher WHIP), showing he isn't as dominate as he once was.  Regardless of his stats, he does get the job done and is still one of the top 5 closers in baseball.
Play-off roster:  Yes

Scot Shields - RH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	BS	WHIP	ERA
59	58.1	54	15	5	26	58	6	4	2	29	5	1.37	2.78

Scot Shields has been the primary set-up guy in the Angels' pen, typically working the 8th inning ahead of Rodriguez.  Shields has be somewhat erratic this season, allowing an unusually high number of base runners.  In fact, all of his numbers are off from his career stats with his K/BB, OBA, and SLG being the worst of his career.  He's still a very good relief pitcher who can get hitters out, but has slipped a bit and is no longer the stand out pitcher he has been in previous seasons.
Play-off roster:  Yes

Jose Arredondo - RH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	BS	WHIP	ERA
48	54.1	38	10	2	19	49	9	2	0	15	6	1.05	1.66

Jose Arredondo has been lights-out this season since being called up from Triple A Salt Lake May 13th.  The leading candidate to replace Rodriguez as closer in 2009, Arredondo has usually pitched in high pressure situations where the Angels were leading or tied in the 7th or 8th inning.
Play-off roster:  Yes

Justin Speier - RH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	BS	WHIP	ERA
59	64.1	66	38	15	25	52	1	8	0	10	2	1.41	5.32

Justin Speier has been awful in 2008.  The 34 year-old right-hander has easily had his worst season since 2001.  He has given up a career high 15 home runs, while his K rate has declined and his OBP allowed is an ungodly .340.
Play-off roster:  I hope not

Darren Oliver - LH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	BS	WHIP	ERA
51	66.2	64	21	5	16	43	5	1	0	12	2	1.20	2.84

Darren Oliver, the lone lefty in the Angels' bullpen, is having possibly his best season of his 14 year career.  While his peripheral stats are unimpressive and slightly below his career average, Oliver has been effective in holding leads (career high 12 Holds) and keeping the Halos in games.  He has held opponents to a .223 batting average with an ERA of 1.67 since the All-Star break.
Play-off roster:  Yes

Jered Weaver - RH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	WHIP	ERA
29	171	164	79	20	54	144	11	10	0	0	1.27	4.16

Jered Weaver will probably be going to the bullpen during the play-offs.  Weaver has had a good season as the Angels' #5 starter and may get a start against Tampa, who he beat in June and received a no-decision against in August despite pitching well.
Play-off roster:  Yes

Darren O'Day - RH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	BS	WHIP	ERA
30	43.1	49	22	2	14	29	0	1	0	1	0	1.45	4.57

O'Day has split this season between Anaheim and Triple A Salt Lake City, appearing mainly in a mop-up role with the Angels.  This season at Triple A, O'Day did well in 33 inning of work in 21 games, striking out 30 while walking just 7 batters and compiling a 3.27 ERA.
Play-off roster:  Yes, unless replaced by Bulger or Jepsen

Jason Bulger - RH
G	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	W	L	SV	HD	BS	WHIP	ERA
11	11.1	9	8	2	5	12	0	0	0	0	0	1.24	6.35

The "dark-horse" candidates for the final roster spot comes down to rookies Jason Bulger and Kevin Jepsen.  Bulger has appeared in 11 games with the Halos this season, but has been either outstanding or horrible when he comes into the game.  In his last 2 appearances, Bulger hasn't retired a batter while giving up 5 runs on 1 hit, 4 walks and 2 hit batters.  Prior to those two fiasco, Bulger had been pitching effectively giving up just 1 hit in 6.2 innings, striking out 7 and walking 1.  Kevin Jepsen has the chance to be the 2008 version of Frankie Rodriguez during the Angels' 2002 play-off run.  Jepsen, a hard-throwing right-hander, has had an excellent minor league season, posting a sub-2.50 ERA in two stops this year.
Play-off roster:  Bulger - No, Jepsen - Yes

One other spot will be taken by either Jon Garland or Joe Saunders, with the other pitcher staying in the rotation.  Saunders pitched well and got the win yesterday against Oakland, which might have secured his rotation spot in the post season.  I think Saunders would be better used in the bullpen since the Angles have just Oliver as their only left-handed reliever.  If Garland is sent to the pen, he'll probably be used in long relief or mop-up roles only as he pitches more to contact than striking hitters out.

Daily notes:

• The Halos had a 6-0 lead heading into the bottom of the 9th yesterday in Oakland, but the bullpen gave up 4 runs by giving up 3 walks and 2 hits.  In a typical K-Rod save, Rodriguez allowed 3 runs when he walked in a run and then a run scoring fielders choice and run scoring single to Kurt Suzuki before getting pinch-hitter Ryan Sweeney to ground out.  None of the runs were charged to Rodriguez since he entered the game with the bases loaded.  In a strange move by Angels' manager Mike Scioscia, Rodriguez replace Jose Arredondo after Arredondo had struck out Travis Buck.  Arredondo had given up a hit (an infield single) and walk, but looked like he had things in control.  Apparently Scioscia wanted K-Rod to add to his save total.
• Kendry Morales, Mike Napoli and Brandon Wood hit back-to-back-to-back home runs in the 7th inning off of Oakland reliever Keith Foulke.  It was the first time Angels' hitters have done that in four seasons.
• The Angels took another step towards securing home field advantage by beating Oakland yesterday afternoon.  Home field standings:
   

  	W	L	Pct	GB
  Angels	93	59	.612	-
  Tampa Bay	90	61	.596	2.5
  Boston	89	63	.586	4.0
  Chicago	84	68	.553	9.0