Elusive big hit a trend for Angels

BOSTON -- The Angels' inability to get the big hit has been well-documented through the first two games of the American League Division Series as a reason the Red Sox hold a 2-0 advantage heading home to Fenway Park.

But the Angels' offensive struggles in the playoffs actually have been going on since they won the World Series in 2002.

Since 2003, the Angels have the fourth-lowest batting average and the third-lowest slugging percentage among all 22 teams that have been in the playoffs over the past six years. And in terms of average, two of the teams ahead of them -- the Brewers and Phillies -- have a smaller sample size of games.

That goes against what the Angels' offense has done throughout history in the playoffs. Even with their problems over the past six years, the Angels are still third all-time in team batting average in the postseason and second in slugging percentage. The only team with a higher slugging percentage is the Rays, and they entered Sunday having played just two postseason games.

A look at how the numbers have changed over the past five-plus seasons: