Richards does best Weaver impression: Angels SP Garrett Richards got the spot start in the regular-season finale on Wednesday night at home against Texas. Richards started in place of Jered Weaver, who was scratched due to the Angels being eliminated from playoff contention. Richards pitched well on Wednesday and earned a no-decision as he left the game tied at one run apiece. Richards allowed one earned run on just two hits and three walks over his five innings of work. The only run he allowed came on a home run from Mike Napoli in the second inning. Richards regrouped and finished with 71 pitches thrown and one strikeout in the performance. His ERA finishes at 5.79 for the season. (Updated 09/28/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/23/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Richards made just his third start and seventh appearance of the season for the Angels on Wednesday in the spot start for Weaver. The 23-year-old was much better on Wednesday than in his previous start for the Angels, but he's no sure bet to make the rotation heading into spring training. Richards will have to battle for a job and his Fantasy value remains mostly long-term at this point. Richards will carry some sleeper appeal into next season, but we doubt he's ready to make a major impact. (Updated 09/28/2011).
09/28/2011 23:08 Rangers beat Halos late, clinch 2nd seed
Mike Napoli broke a tie in the ninth inning with his fourth homer in two games, and the Texas Rangers finally clinched home-field advantage in the AL division series with a 3-1 victory over the Los Angeles Angels on Wednesday night.
09/22/2011 23:06 Angels take hit in playoff berth chase with loss to Jays
Edwin Encarnacion hit a game-ending home run in the 12th inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Los Angeles 4-3 on Thursday night, dealing the Angels another blow in their chase for a playoff berth.
09/20/2011 22:26 Angels top Blue Jays, gain ground in wild-card chase
Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer, Vernon Wells added a solo shot and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Toronto Blue Jays 10-6 on Tuesday night.
09/17/2011 22:03 Orioles 6, Angels 2
The Los Angeles Angels' shaky playoff hopes took another blow Saturday night when Ervin Santana yielded five first-inning runs in a 6-2 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.
After going 12-2 with a 3.15 ERA in 22 appearances (21 starts) at Double-A Arkansas, Garrett Richards got his first taste of the majors last season but did not fare as well. He received the call in mid-August and after giving up six runs over five innings in his first outing, he left his second start due to a groin injury. He would return to the majors after rosters expanded and went 0-1 with a 3.24 ERA in five appearances (one start). The right-hander went 0-1 with a 5.91 ERA in three starts in the bigs and is expected to battle Jerome Williams for the final spot in the rotation during the spring. The 23-year-old might need some more seasoning in the minors so keep an eye on how the battle shakes out. Richards would be worth taking in AL-only formats on Draft Day if he breaks camp as a starter, but should be ignored in the majority of larger Fantasy leagues. He still has some decent value in long-term keeper leagues, however. (Updated 1/11/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start