Winging it: Angels' creativity produces MLB's best lineup

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- Their lineup features a three-time MVP and this season's likely recipient of the game's top award in the American League, yet their cleanup hitters are often middle infielders who are not close to cracking double digits in home runs.

Their DH rotation includes two players who have made at least three trips to the minors this season, and their catching tandem is batting a combined .237. They don't even steal many bases anymore.

So how are the Los Angeles Angels, the first team to earn a playoff spot this season, comfortably leading the majors in runs scored?

It starts with all-world outfielder Mike Trout, of course, but there are many more pieces to a lineup puzzle that manager Mike Scioscia says has forced him to get extra creative this year.

"There are some games when we're putting together some of the groupings and you see Erick Aybar hitting fourth or Howie Kendrick hitting fourth, positions they're not normally put in,'' Scioscia said of his 5-foot-10 infielders. "We've had our share of that.''

The Angels have made it work. They rank second in the American League in batting average, hits, extra-base hits and on-base percentage, and going into Tuesday they were hitting .310 over their last 12 games despite the absence of Josh Hamilton for the last 11. He returned Tuesday but missed an eight-game spell from Sept. 5-12 when the Angels scored at least seven runs every time.

While some of that damage was done against inferior pitching, on Monday the Angels pounded the Seattle Mariners' Hisashi Iwakuma – who finished third in the AL Cy Young Award voting last year and came in 5-0 against them – for a career-high seven runs in 3 1/3 innings.

Those offensive exploits, along with a much-improved bullpen, have helped Los Angeles thrive despite season-ending injuries to starting pitchers Garrett Richards and Tyler Skaggs. Another starter, 16-game winner Matt Shoemaker, sustained a mild oblique strain on Monday but is not expected to be out long.

At 94-56, the Angels have the majors' best record, they've won 17 of their last 20 and are on pace to eclipse the franchise mark of 100 victories, set in 2008.

Some of the faces are new, while others are familiar faces taking on unfamiliar roles.

A look at the key components of baseball's most potent lineup:

Kole Calhoun

What's his deal: Made an impression with an .808 OPS (on base plus slugging) in 58 games as a rookie last season, when he only started in the leadoff spot six times. The permanent move was prompted by Scioscia's decision to pair up Mike Trout and Albert Pujols in the 2-3 slots.

What he's done: Calhoun's .335 on-base percentage is on the low side for a leadoff hitter, but he has still scored 85 runs, and Scioscia likes his situational hitting and power. Calhoun's 16 homers are tied for first among AL leadoff hitters.

First things first: Calhoun on leading off: "You get the first crack at whoever's on the mound, so anything you can do right away to get on base – hit a double, get a base hit, maybe hit a home run – it's going to set the team up for a pretty successful day.''

Mike Trout

What's his deal: After runner-up finishes in the MVP race his first two full seasons, Trout is widely expected to claim the honor this year. He warmed up for the big prize by being named MVP of the All-Star Game. At 23, Trout is regarded as the game's best player.

What he's done: Trout has been a different offensive player than in the past, already setting career highs in home runs (34) and RBI (107) but also strikeouts (169), which he brushes off as "one of them years.'' He's also running less – 16 steals in 18 attempts – partly as a result of hitting in front of Pujols.

Multi-tool player: Even with the decrease in steals, Trout is baseball's most formidable offensive weapon, leading the majors in extra-base hits, total bases and RBI. Trout on his role: "Whatever it is during the game, either getting on base or driving in runs. We all have one mind coming into the day, and that's to win. Whatever it takes, that's what we're going to do.''

Albert Pujols

What's his deal: The three-time NL MVP was coming off his worst season, having set a number of career lows after being limited to 99 games by plantar fascia woes. It was the fifth consecutive season in which Pujols' OPS declined, and his days as a consistent offensive force seemed numbered.

What he's done: Pujols is three RBI shy of reaching the century mark for the 12th time, and his 26 home runs rank second on the club behind Trout. That's hardly machine-like production, but at least it makes opponents think twice before walking Trout. Then again, Pujols has grounded into a league-leading 27 double plays.

Short of his standard: Pujols describes his season as "up and down,'' and he's not far off, considering 14 of his home runs came in the first two months. He's not happy with his .242 batting average with runners in scoring position or his .274 overall mark. "I'm not a .270 hitter,'' Pujols said. "You need to ride it out and hopefully finish strong and have it carry into the postseason.''

Josh Hamilton

What's his deal: The 2010 AL MVP bulked up in the offseason in hopes of regaining the power he lacked during a disappointing first season in Anaheim. After averaging 33 homers over his previous three years, Hamilton was down to 21 in 2013.

What he's done: Those 21 would be most welcome this year, when Hamilton has been hampered by injuries and puzzled by his extended struggles. After a sizzling start, Hamilton missed nearly two months with a torn thumb ligament. He wasn't anywhere near his old self when he came back and is batting .263 with 10 homers and 44 RBI in 88 games.

Filling a void: The Angels have won 10 of the 11 games Hamilton has missed this month with a shoulder injury, diminishing any pressure for him to rush back. Hamilton returned Tuesday and is hoping to recapture some of the magic of his MVP season, when he missed most of September with an injury but went on to hit four homers and win MVP honors in the ALCS. "Hopefully I can finish this year like 2010,'' Hamilton said. "That's where my mind-set is right now.''

Howie Kendrick

What's his deal: A .292 hitter over a nine-year career, Kendrick has been among the game's top offensive second basemen. A line-drive hitter with gap power, Kendrick traditionally has performed best in the bottom half of the lineup, where his reluctance to walk doesn't stand out as much.

What he's done: Kendrick has been on a tear this month, batting .460 with eight extra-base hits and 15 RBI in his last 12 games. After starting 11 games as the fourth-place hitter in his previous eight seasons, he has done it 30 times this year and responded with 71 RBI – four shy of his career high – despite only seven homers. He's batting .327 with runners in scoring position.

Fourth estate: Scioscia started experimenting with Kendrick in the cleanup spot in mid-April, shortly after Hamilton went down with the thumb injury, and has gone with that setup intermittently, though more consistently of late. Scioscia won't commit to a long-range plan but likes the results so far.

Erick Aybar

What's his deal: The very definition of a pesky hitter, Aybar is known for fouling off pitch after pitch until finding one he can slap between fielders. His contact rate of 88.5% ranks 11th in the league – fifth among infielders – and is on par with his career norm of 88.3 percent.

What he's done: Aybar, batting .284, has already set career highs with 159 hits, 74 runs scored and 67 RBI. Chicago White Sox All-Star Alexei Ramirez is the only other AL shortstop who can claim similar production.

All over the place: Aybar has batted everywhere in the lineup this season except third, with his largest number of at-bats coming in the fifth spot. That's not where players with seven home runs usually hit. "With guys in scoring position, Erick's going to put the ball in play,'' Scioscia said. "He's not your prototypical RBI guy, but he'll knock runs in if he gets the opportunity.''

David Freese

What's his deal: Acquired in the offseason to address the Angels' longstanding hole at third base, Freese was aiming to bounce back from a disappointing final season with his hometown St. Louis Cardinals.

What he's done: In the first two months of the season, Freese looked nothing like the player who earned MVP honors in the 2011 World Series and NLCS. Freese was batting .203 through the end of May but has since recovered to salvage some of his season. Monday's home run was his third in September, when he's batting .348 with 10 RBI.

Late surge: The Angels are hoping the Freese they're seeing now is the real thing. His resurgence and Hamilton's return would lengthen the already potent Angels lineup, and Freese's history of postseason heroics – he has seven homers and 29 RBI in 48 games – bodes well for the upcoming playoffs.

Chris Iannetta/Hank Conger

What's their deal: Both catchers shared the position last season, but the split has become more even this year, with Iannetta starting 84 games and Conger 66. There's no set pattern to how Scioscia will use them, although the right-handed-hitting Iannetta usually starts vs. lefties and the switch-hitting Conger typically catches Hector Santiago.

What they've done: With a .258 batting average, Iannetta is hitting 21 points above his career standard, and he's always been proficient at drawing walks. His .377 on-base percentage leads all AL catchers with at least 200 at-bats. Conger's OBP is nearly 100 points lower at .287, but he excels defensively and pitchers have logged a 3.29 ERA with him behind the plate.

Combo effort: Any catcher managed by Scioscia knows defense comes first. As for the hitting aspect, Iannetta said, "We try to play team offense, just try to pass the baton to the next guy. Our main guys are obviously going to produce all the time, but the majority of the team knows that on any given day they could be an integral part of the offense.''

C.J. Cron/Efren Navarro

What's their deal: Rather than relying on a regular designated hitter, the Angels use the spot to give veterans like Pujols and Hamilton a day off from defensive duties while keeping their bats in the lineup. The approach has also opened up opportunities for rookie Cron, who has started 30 games at DH and 25 at first base.

What they've done: While shuttling between Anaheim and Class AAA Salt Lake, the right-handed-hitting Cron and the lefty-swinging Navarro have combined to bat .264 with 46 RBI. Cron is tied for sixth among AL rookies with 10 home runs in 216 at-bats. The duo has essentially replaced the released Raul Ibanez.

A nice break: Pujols would much rather play first base, but he's batting .333 with a .979 OPS as a DH, so it pays to keep him off his feet. Hamilton has also performed well as a DH (.320 and .984) and will initially serve in that role upon his return, with Collin Cowgill often replacing him in left field.