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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim  (71-60) @ Texas Rangers (75-58)

Pitching Probables: LAA -- Ervin Santana (9-9, 3.17 ERA)  TEX -- CJ Wilson (13-5, 3.08 ERA)

Game Info: 5:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

What is it about the Texas Rangers that seems to have gotten the Angels all verklempt? Sure they have a great offense, but their pitching doesn't seem all that great and their defense if suspect in most places. But lately it seems less about the physical and more about the mental advantage. Texas has a swagger that the Angels don't. Maybe it's the realization that their time is now (given that they just went to the World Series). Maybe they know they can turn it on against the Halos and win anytime they want. All I know is that I reall hate these guys.

There are many messages to take away from tonight's "showdown". First, any doubt that the Rangers were the more talented team have been put to rest. Second, the notion that Mike Scioscia had embraced his youth movement was woefully premature. Third, Dan Haren may not be an "ace" after all. Fourth, and most important, the Angels playoff hopes took a bigger hit tonight than many will care to admit.

 -- You kind of got the sense that when the Angels didn't score in the first after getting two guys on, it might be their night. Howie Kendrick showed an uncharacteristic amount of emotion on a strikeout (shades of the tension getting to him), then a strike-em-out-throw-em-out double play ended the threat. Not the start they needed.
-- The Halos left a small village on the basepaths. There's an old expression; don't bring a knife to a gun fight. Well, while the Angels were trying to kill their opponent with small cuts, the Rangers brought out the double barrel shogun and blasted their way to victory.
-- Someone will eventually have to explain to me why, in a spacious ballpark like Arlington, you would opt to sit Mike Trout instead of play him in left. I counted three balls that Trout would have speared for outs that Wells didn't get. Two of those led to runs early.
-- Okay so if you are going to go the veteran route, why not give Russell Branyan more at bats at DH? Isn't he at least an equal option to Bobby Abreu or Vernon Wells at this point?
-- So much for the Jerome Williams is a diamond in the rough argument. Or maybe he just a raging case of the "Angels bullpen sucks yips" which is only curable by returning to the starting rotation?
-- It's amazing how quickly Mike Napoli went from a likeable guy getting unfairly benched by the evil manager to a total tool for our most hated rivals. I get that he feels slighted because Scioscia dumped him but does he have to look so damn happy about beating the Halos?

Halo A-Hole


That's right Danny Boy. You think about what your craptacular start tonight did the Angels playoff hopes. Nice timing on the whole "giving up your first grand slam as an Angel" thing. The four man rotation thing only works if every pitcher throws well, and you my friend, did not get us off on the right foot.

No matter what happens this year, no matter how it ends, whether the Angels' Cinderella story their way to the World Series or they lose every single game for the rest of the season, 2012 is going to be a great year for the Angels. Well, maybe I shouldn't go handing them that already, but with the way things are looking, next year has a enough potential in it to instill hope in a greater season then the one being had now. Not to disregard this season the Angels have had, it's been a good one so far with plenty of great moments, but there's been too much lost potential, too much dead hope. Yet, with a new season comes new opportunities, new hopes, but more importantly a fresh start. I can think of an Angel or two who would love a fresh start right about now. Those are just intangibles however, a GM can't sign a hope to fill a vacancy at 3rd base, and you definitely can't send a fresh start to the mound to close out a tight ball game. Yet there are many concrete factors coming into play which will help get this ballclub on the right path permanently, or at least for the 2012 season.

Like it or not, Ervin Santana and Jered Weaver are going to pitch on short rest this series in Texas.  My problem with it is that I can't decide if I actually like it or not.  I hated the idea at first, then I started to buy into it, but now I think I am leaning towards it being a bad idea.  So, forgive me if you will, but I'm going to take this opportunity to try and work this boondoggle out with a good old fashion pro and con list.

PRO: Beating the Rangers is of the utmost importance right now.  The Angels are now two games back and have all the momentum, so they should try and capitalize by putting their best players up against Texas to try and continue closing the gap or even taking over the lead altogether.

CON: Why are the Texas games more important than the games afterward?  Doing anything to potentially damage Weaver and Santana over the rest of the season for the sake of one series seems like a risk that is not worth taking.  Why not let Santana start on full rest at full strength on Sunday and hope Williams or Pineiro can steal a win on Saturday?  They might lose that Saturday game, but they have a good chance of losing it too if Santana can't handle the short rest.  Keeping the rotation intact also let's Weaver face Seattle, which is a mortal lock of a victory, but Pineiro or Williams isn't, meaning the Angels could be unwittingly sacrificing a game they should win against a bad team for a slightly better chance at winning a tough game.

PRO: Weaver and Santana are workhorses, so they can probably handle the short rest start, especially since it is just once and not a permanent thing.  They also had advanced warning about starting on short rest, so they should have no problem adjusting their routines to ready themselves both mentally and physically.

The August 26th, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including Ozzie Guillen has "never seen a white man that can run" as fast as Peter Bourjos, the math and logic of having Weaver and Santana pitch on short rest, Bourjos credits Mickey Hatcher for his offensive surge and much more...

The Story: Ozzie Guillen says of Peter Bourjos, "I've never seen a white man that can run that fast."

The Monkey Says: I love Ozzie Guillen. He is kind of racist, but in a lovable and funny sort of way.

The Story: The math and logic on having Jered Weaver and Ervin Santana pitch on short rest.

The Monkey Says: I continue to be torn on whether or not this is a good idea, but this article seems to suggest it is a bad idea.

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim  (71-59) @ Texas Rangers (74-58)

Pitching Probables: LAA -- Dan Haren (13-6, 2.98 ERA)  TEX -- Derek Holland (11-5, 2.42. ERA)

Game Info: 5:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

All you can every ask as a fan is that your team has a shot to get into the playoffs at the end of the season. Two weeks ago even the most hardcore of Angel fans had to think the playoff race was over as the Angels were 7 games back and had just been crushed for three straight at home. Even worse, the Rangers (especially that d-bag Ian Kinsler), seemed to be overly enthusiastic about the state of things. But in the words of Lee Corso, "Not so fast my friend"! Now the Angels come into the scorching hell of Arlington with a chance to leave with first place in their pocket.

The ink on Jered Weaver's contract extension isn't even dry and it already feels like it has become the gift that keeps on giving.  Not only do we get to watch Weaver continue his domination over the American League, but now we get to dream up ways to spend all that money Weaver saved the Angels courtesy of the hometown discount he granted them.  The mind reels with possibilities, but I think I've got a few that will really give the Angels the most bang for their buck.

Thanks for staying and thanks for saving the team a few dozen millions over the next five years!!!