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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (54-47) @ Baltimore Orioles (40-57)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Tyler Chatwood (5-6, 3.71 ERA)  BAL – Jeremy Guthrie (4-13, 4.35 ERA)

Game Info: 10:35 AM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

I will spare you the obvious lecture on how the Halos would be wasting a big opportunity should they not win this game and thus lose a series to the sadsack Orioles right in the middle of a playoff race.  I know this.  You know this.  The Angels know this.

We are all pulling for the Angels to walk away from this game with a series win under their belts, but I am secretly hoping they leave Baltimore with a little something extra.  That something has a name: Koji Uehara.  I've been complaining for months about how the Angels need a righty setup man, but also need a reliever who doesn't get ruined by walks.  I've searched high and low for a perfect match and Uehara is that guy.  He may not throw very hard, but his BB/9 rate is a microscopic 1.64, but he also pairs that with a very impressive 11.86 K/9 rate.  The only real problem he has is he gives up a few more homers than you like to see, having allowed six this season, but since he has allowed just 23 hits in 44 innings, I think that is something the Angels can live with.

Hopefully Tony Reagins got a good look at Koji last night when he dusted the Angels in order on just nine pitches and was impressed enough to take a stroll over to Baltimore GM Andy McPhail's luxury box during today's game to work out a deal so that the Angels can get on their flight after the game with one extra passenger.

Well I usually don't do well on the prediction thing but tonight's game played out almost according to script. The early offense was supplied by Vernon Wells and Joel Pineiro sucked. The score was closer than I thought but other than that, my powers of prediction were right on. Not that it's a good thing this time around.

Angels 2 Orioles 3

-- Joel Pineiro did in fact act like a human pinata. Joel was tagged for 11 hits in 5 1/3 innings. He did only allow three runs so at least he limited the damage but the Orioles would have scored more if the defense hadn't bailed Pineiro out on two or three occassions. Not sure what is going on with Joel but his pitches are up and they are being smacked hard. This is something to watch out for in the near future.
-- Nice to see Peter Bourjos pick up where he left off defensively. The play in the first inning to throw out the runner at second was great and should just be more evidence that he is gold glove worthy. The 0 for 3 in the box is most likely due to rust from the DL and he should shake that off in a couple of games.
-- The Halos had chances to score tonight but once again couldn't come through when they needed the big hit. Special recognition to Torii Hunter for hitting into his 21st double play of the year. Great work; at least you lead the league in something.
-- I wonder if the Angels would consider trading for Kevin Gregg. I know he gave up the Granny last night and kinda looks a little douchy, but he is right handed and does appear to get people out. On second thought, no, he looks a lot douchy...we should just move on.
-- Oh Fernando you tease. A scoreless inning of work with two strikeouts on only 12 pitches. I know you will break my heart just when I start to trust again. But at least you looked good for one night.

Halo A Hole


I know it feels like I've been picking on Bob lately but he is representative of all that is wrong with the Angel offense. Another 0 for the game with 2 strikeouts. I know, I know he drew another walk and scored on the Wells homer, but your #3 hitter should actually hit the ball fair every once and awhile. That or drop him down in the order till he gets right with the world. This is getting ridiculous.

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (54-46) @ Baltimore Orioles (39-57)

Pitching Probables: LAA -- Joel Piniero (5-4, 4.58 ERA)  BAL -- Brad Bergesen (1-6, 5.76 ERA)

Game Info: 4:05 PT; TV - FS-W; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

Four wins in a row sure would be a nice thing right about now. As much as my baseball optimistic side was in play yesterday, the pessimist in me returns with a vengence for this one. Joel "Pinata" Pineiro returns to the mound following his worst outing as a professional and faces a team that has beat the crap out of him in the past. If the Angel offense has it's usual anemic performance that four game winning streak will be just a pie in the sky dream...

Well it took them awhile but the Angels got down to business and secured their third win in a row. Ervin Santana was more than just good tonight, he was fantastic. This type of run of pitching is what the Angels need from Ervin to compliment the steady work of the big two. Throw in soem timely hitting and good bullpen work and you get another Halo victory.

Angels 6 Orioles 1

Time for Free For All Friday, a time to talk about all the Angels-related topics that slipped through the cracks this week, as well as any other totally unrelated topic you feel like bringing up.

Here are a few topics for you to discuss amongst yourselves:

• Seeing Adrian Beltre romp through the Angel pitching staff was pretty hard to stomach.  Tony Reagins' bungling of the Carl Crawford negotiations got all the press this winter, but as of today, I think we can all agree that not landing Beltre is what really hurt the Angels.  Sure, Texas overpaid him, but Beltre is EXACTLY what the Angels need right now and they blew their chance at getting him.  Now they need to hope they can convince Aramis Ramirez (the poor man's Beltre) to waive his no-trade clause to come play for them.
• I was talking with my wife the other day and she was saying something about us growing old together and how it would be nice for us to relax on our porch in rocking chairs and playing bridge.  Really?  Bridge?  I don't know how to play bridge.  She doesn't know how to play bridge?  Why would we suddenly start playing bridge once we get old and gray?  Unless a bridge instruction manual comes with our AARP cards, I fail to see how and why we would ever learn to play some antiquated game.  Getting old does not automatically make you a bridge afficionado.  Nor am I going to start wearing argyle socks, suspenders, bowties and sweater vests the instant I start collecting Social Security (but that is mostly because Social Security will probably be dead by the time I retire).
• Now that I walk home from work everyday, I've started listening to ESPN's Baseball Today podcast.  I have to say, I always thought Keith Law was smart but always had to rag on everyone and everything and didn't like him, but now he is winning me over.  That isn't because I was wrong about him, quite the contrary.  I actually have a newfound respect for him because he is a truly equal opportunity snarkist.  That takes a lot of effort and commitment and he should be lauded for his totally unbiased dislike for all things.
• It really doesn't matter to me that the owners might be trying to ram a CBA down the NFLPA's throat.  Sure, it seems underhanded, but I hope the players just cave and accept it so we aren't subjected to three more weeks of every news outlet claiming the two sides will have an agreement "any day now."
• I tweeted this when it happened, but I would like to thank the Tigers for trading for Wilson Betemit and thus preventing Tony Reagins from doing so.  It isn't that Betemit isn't a nice player, I just would've pulled my hair out watching Mike Scioscia trying to mix in another switch-hitting utility infielder into his lineup rotation.  Yeah, the Angels need a bat, but if that bat can't play everyday, I want nothing to do with him.

Or just feel free to bring up a topic of your own.  I don't really care (as long as you keep it clean) because it's Friday.

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (53-46) @ Baltimore Orioles (39-56)

Pitching Probables: LAA -- Ervin Santana (4-8, 3.84 ERA) BAL -- Alfredo Simon (2-2, 4.36 ERA)

Game Info: 4:05 PT; TV - FS-W; Radio - KLAA 830 AM


The Angels hit the road for a nine game swing. The timing for the trip would seem fortunate since the boys seem to play well on the road and Baltimore is struggling. But rememebr the last time we saw these particular birds, they gave the Halos a hell of a time. Combine that with yet another no name starting and you could spell a recipe for disaster... but I'm choosing to be optimistic for once.

The July 22nd, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including Fernando Rodney activated from the DL, the Halos scout Japanese sensation Yu Darvish, Adrian Beltre owns Dan Haren and much more...

The Story: The Angels have activated Fernando Rodney from the DL and optioned Trevor Bell back to Salt Lake.

The Monkey Says: The fact that getting Fraudney back is actually something that I am mildly excited about should tell you just how pitiful that other right-handed middle relievers have been for the Angels this season.

The Story: Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish was scouted by the Angels recently.

The Monkey Says: A few years ago, Darvish was seen as an emerging star out of Japan, but he decided to stay in there rather than come to MLB.  In those years his stock has dropped a little bit, but I would guess almost every single team will scout him at some point since it sounds like he could finally make the jump in the next year or two