Considering how the Halos have been doing as of late, it seems like Angel fans are more excited by the prospect of unloading dead weight before the trade deadline than the action on the field taking place this weekend. Despite that, I'm going to do my best to get you pumped up for three days that could change the race (for better or for worse).
Why should we care?
We're 52-52, 9 games back of the squad coming in to spend the weekend, and we've played to a run differential of -23 this year. As of late, we're in the middle of a 4 game losing streak, have gone 2-8 over our previous 10, and we simply haven't been able to produce any kind of offense. So, why should we care? Well, for starters, we have 10 games remaining against Texas this year, we have our three best (and three only?) starters slated to lead us in the series, and the Rangers are only 3 games over .500 away from Arlington. Doesn't it seem like we're due? I think so. This three game series will be a huge deciding factor on how fans approach the remaining 55 games after this weekend is all said and done.
Do we actually still have a chance to win the West?
Well, not that I'm saying this is going to be a historical finish or anything, but there are plenty of teams who have come back from worse situations than this: The 1969 Mets trailed by 10 games on August 14 and came back to win, the 1973 Mets trailed by 11.5 on August 5 and came back to take the division, the 1973 Reds trailed by 11 on July 1 and came back to win, the 1978 Yankees trailed by 14 on July 20 and came back, the 1989 Blue Jays went 38-45 before posting an impressive 12 week display of 51-28 to go from 6th in the 7 team East to division champs, the 1993 Braves were down by 10 on July 23 and stormed back to win, and (we don't need to be reminded that) the 1995 Seattle Mariners were 13 back of us on August 3 and came back to take it. There are seven examples, and realitively recent ones at that, of teams making improbable comebacks to win their divsions against all odds. So, I ask, why not us? This team had some really fun to watch streaks of good play earlier on, and it could happen again just like that.
Okay, but what about those trades?
Sure, the bankrupt Rangers continue to work deals for upgrades despite not being able to pay deferred money to former players, but should we be worried? Cliff Lee, Bengie Molina, and Jorge Cantu are all nice pieces to add, but who cares? The Halos have added Dan Haren and Alberto Callaspo (again) and may not be finished. Varying reports have us as buyers and sellers, so we'll have to wait and see. But again, we are a hot streak from Torii, Howie, and Bobby away from righting this ship.
So, who takes the mound?
Tonight it's Ervin Santana (9-7, 3.55) out to end Tommy Hunter's (8-0, 2.31) stellar season. Last time he pitched in Anaheim (last year), Hunter allowed 7 runs in 2.67 innings in an 11-0 Halo win. Meanwhile, El Rosario has a 1.75 ERA in his last three starts, including beating Texas his last time out.
Saturday's game two features newbie Dan Haren (7-9, 4.57) going against Scott "Kazmir" Feldman (5-9, 5.46). Texas fans don't understand why Feldman is still a part of the rotation, and meanwhile the un-injurable Dan Haren looks ready to earn his first win in Angels gear. This has to be the lock of the series for us.
Sunday, we see an August Fool's Day battle between Jered "Big Baby" Weaver (9-7, 3.19) and Cliff Lee (9-4, 2.40). The aces will battle it out in the final game of the series, and no matter what happens in the first two games, a win against Cliff Lee could be enough to turn this team around.
What are the possible outcomes we face on Sunday at 4:00 pm?
We sweep: Back by 6.
Win 2 of 3: Back by 8.
Lose 2 of 3: Back by 10.
They sweep: Sleep in and get ready for football season (aka, 12 GB).
Does anyone on the Angels actually stand a chance of breaking out offensively this weekend?
You know, I don't see how Torii Hunter's post-All Star slump can stay this bad for much longer. Our Pine Bluff, AR native is hitting .208 since the Midsummer Classic with just 1 homerun and 2 RBI. He's only managed to get on base 13 times in 51 PAs (a pathetic .255 OBP). He got rested on Wednesday, and had to watch the Fernando Rodney debacle from the bench. It was billed as a rest day to help him reset before the huge weekend clash. As Torii's bat goes, so goes the Angels, and it's hard for me to believe that he's going to keep up the badness much longer. There isn't a much better time to turn it around than this weekend.
Well, make some predictions, you wuss!
Alright, alright. The Halos will take 2 out of 3 (with an outside chance to sweep). That's right, I'm still that delusional. I guarantee Haren wins against Feldman on Saturday, and we'll take either game one or game three as well (for Jered Weaver's sanity, I hope it's game 3). That would leave us 8 back with 55 to go (and 7 more with Texas). Look, you can hate on me all you want, I'm just not ready to give up yet.
Is there anything else interesting happening in the LSF baseball world this weekend?
Well, despite being 53-49, Andrew's Blue Jays head into their weekend series with the Indians 12.5 back in the East. I think there is a strong sweep chance for Toronto in this one. Meanwhile, B and J's Doyers are 7 back in the division but just 3.5 back in the Wildcard, and get three with San Francisco this weekend. The rivalry series will be a big one, with both squads fighting to pick up games on the unlikely Friars.
Now, as we often do after an Angels off day, it's time for a quick trip around the minors.
Bees- SLC put a 5 spot on the board last night to beat Portland 5-4. Starter, and former Quake standout, Fernando Rodriguez went 7 innings allowing 3 earned, and punching out 6 in the win. He's now 3-4 with a 5.48 ERA, and was followed by another strong inning (and save) from Matt Palmer (possibly coming back up?). Going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI was SS Luis Figueroa, who is hitting .337 with the Bees this season (20 RBI in 20 games). He was joined by multi-hit games from Mumbo Trumbo, McAnulty, and 2B and former Gamecock Drew "Tow" Mayer.
Travs- Arkansas bounced back with a 4-0 shutout win over Springfield yesterday. Stuttgart, Germany native Mike Anton went 7.3 innings of 2 hit shutout work to really show off some stuff. It was a significantly better effort than his 5-7, 4.06 numbers would lead you to expect. Ismael Carmona (2-2, 2.88) was awesome in relief, going 1.67 IP of 1 hit shutout work. RF and UMass grad Nick Gorneault went 3 for 4 with a run scored to lead the offense, and he's smacking at a .417/3/8 smack in his last 8, since coming down from AAA. Going 2 for 3 with a BB and a RBI was LF Jeremy Moore, who improved to .301/8/42 on the season for the Travs.
Quakes- Rancho completed a sweep of the San Jose Giants last night with a 5-3 win. Orangel Arenas (best name going in the Halo franchise right now?) impressed in his start, going 6 innings of 3 run ball. He's now 5-1 with a 4.96 ERA since coming up from low-A (where he was 4-5 with a 2.01 ERA). SS and Panama City native Kevin Ramos led the offense going 2 for 3 with 2 RBI, despite having a lowly .186 BA across three MiLB levels this season (.251 OBP). Joining him with a solid offensive front was RF Angel Castillo and his 2 for 4 with 2 runs and a RBI game. Castillo is now hiting .256/13/53/ over 92 games with the 909 this year.
Let's get back in this thing over the weekend, Halos.
-- Sent from my Palm Prē
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