Feck Pauliewood.

That's right: "Pauliewood." That's what they're calling US Cellular Field (or wherever the White Sox the play), in the hopes that it'll drive up votes for Konerko in the All Star race. Can we write in Jered Weaver? Also, can I give a little hate message to Victor Rojas and Goober for talking about the 2005 ALCS Doug Eddings/Josh Paul/AJ Pusszinski situation? Why do we have to relive that nightmare over and over again?

It was kind of a nightmare last night. It started with a nice 1 hour and 40-some minute rain delay, making the game start basically when a home game would have started. I appreciated it, while I'm sure Sox fans didn't. Work night, and all. Jered Weaver, out to show the MLB that their All Star selection process is a joke, blew his nice game by allowing back to back long balls late. Brandon would have been proud (?) to see Andruw Jones jack his 399th career long ball (retire now, it would be hilarious) and Andrew would hae been proud (?) to see Alex Rios take Dream Weaver yard just an inning before that. Our ace eventually finished with 6.3 innings of 4 run ball, not enough to make the MLB feel bad about his snub. All this on a night when Jake Peavy went just 1.67 innings before coming down with some kind of shoulder-ish injury. Props to reliever T Pain, who matched Jered Weaver for 4.3 innings, holding the Halos down. 

The offense was just on vacation again for the Angels, who are now 1-4 over their last 5 games. Torii Hunter went 3 for 4, Mike Napoli went 2 for 3 (with an "on the nails" RBI single), and the Angels left 7 on base with 3 starters going hitless. The Halos had their big chance in the 8th with two on and one out, and ended up getting doubled up to end our big chance. We had no chance against former Angel Bobby Jenks in the 9th. Depressing. 

Is the loss of Kendry Morales finally catching up? At least the word out of oft-injured Maicer Izturis' camp is positive. He'll start swinging the bat today, and hopfully come back in the next 10 days. That would be a big lift, right? But, does that mean Franny is out? How about moving Fran to first with Ma$e resuming at third? I like that. Sorry Nap; it's back to the catching platoon.

In other news, how funny did Juan Rivera look in his glasses?

Well, guess what? Are you ready for a nice surprise? Despite Weaver's failure to produce last night, the latest news to hit the press is that he actually will be named to the All Star team. Evidently, CC Sabathia will withdraw due to pitching on this upcoming Sunday, and thus not being able to really get out and play. Joe Girardi has stated that he will select Weaver to replace CC, despite Weaver also pitching Sunday, most likely as a way to answer some of the National outrage of Weaver being left off. It'll be interesting to see how Weaver reacts to this "second hand" All Star nomination. Graciously, would be my guess (as opposed to saying, "Every fecking time"). Big ups, J-Dub. You deserved it.

The Halos are now 46-40, falling fast with their recent skid, 4.5 games off the lead the Rangers have created. We still hold hope for a split against the White Sox before a weekend rivalry series with the A's. Tonight's test will be a hefty one (Hefty! Hefty! Hefty! Hefty!). Freddy Garcia (8-3, 4.65) has been a pest to the Angels since long before he joined the Sox. Garcia is 14-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 24 career starts against the Angels. We'll give him all he can handle, as we counter with the seriously underrated Joe Saunders (6-8, 4.59). Joey Joe Joe is 3-0 with a 1.53 in four career outings at "Pauliewood," his lowest ERA at any road stop. Dear Joe, please keep up the solid hurling.

Keep this in mind: if Matsui and Abreu can turn things around, the whole team will turn around. Currently, Godzilla is 8 for his last 42 and El Comedulce is 5 for his last 41. Do you think that has anything to do with the Halos only scoring six runs in the losses of their current 1-4 skid?

-- Sent from my Palm Prē