You'll have to excuse me if this post starts to ramble on because A) I didn't get much sleep last night (thank you, James) and B) My distaste for John Lackey since his bitter departure clouds my thinking at times. After last night's 1-5 loss to Boston, it isn't any easier to focus. The Angels managed to take a gem from Ervin Santana (7 innings of 1 run ball with 7 Ks), and implode all over themselves. 4 Boston runners crossed the plate in the eighth, all charged to the usually solid Kevin Jepsen. He basically walked the bases loaded before Hermida blasted a long fly ball that one hopped the monster to break the game open. Sure, we can argue about how Juan Rivera should have made the catch, but I only think people are saying that because of Torii's gold glove grab earlier in the night. Either way, we go through 7.5 innings hanging tough (even loading the bases with one out, only to see Abreu ground into a double play), and the bullpen can't hang. 5-1 loss.
Luckily, for Angel fans, we can cast this loss aside and focus on this afternoon's big battle. Sure, we're 12-16 and 2.5 games back of division leading Texas (maybe it was Vlad and Darren Oliver all along), but tonight we go against John Lackey. Ol' "Wife Puke" himself. Mr. "This is my game, Scioscia!" The Bulldog. Big John from deep in the heart of Texas. Or, as one Halo blog calls him, "Benedict Lackey." Lackey is 2-1 with a 4.50 ERA in his first season away from the Big A. Now, mired in a five game losing streak, we go head to head with Big John, who is top 5 is starts, innings pitched, Ks, and wins. But tonight, we're going to bash him. And in case you weren't motivated before, Lackey is talking shit.
"The way the Angels preach the game, the way you are supposed to give it up for the team, that's a little suspect. You're supposed to give it up for the team, but when the time comes, they aren't willing to give it up for you. Their track record speaks for itself. I lost so many teammates while I was there (Frankie, GA, Bengie, Percy, Glaus, etc), that I was prepared for what they do."
In the LA Times article, Lackey went on to complain about being taken out of Game 5 of the ALCS (which I also complained about), but said he doesn't really think that it influenced his decision to leave (insert fake cough while saying, "Bullshit!").
As for what Lackey said, maybe if he was really into giving his all for the team, he would have accepted the 4 year/$60 million offer the Halos tossed his way to keep him around. Increased injuries to start his previous 2 seasons made Reagins reluctant to go more that 4 years, and Lackey decided he was worth more than 15 bills a season, going to Boston for 5 years/$82.5 million. Not that much of a difference. Now, he's a #3 starter with a slight chip on his shoulder about his former team. He signed with a hated rival for an extra $1.5 million per year. We made you a legit offer, you "gave it all up for you," and you are the one who turned your back on us for 1) the money and 2) to feel like some East Coast MLB big shot. Well, now you have drunk Sox fans puking on your wife's jacket, and you're a semi-after thought on the national stage as the #3 hurlee on a sub-.500 squad. Hope you still feel happy with your choice.
Best of luck to Piñata's sinker, and the Angels bats. Can we drum up more than 1 run tonight, boys?
Predictions: Angels chase Lack from the game in the 5th with 4 runs. Bitch, please.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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