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Texas Rangers (55-41) @  Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (51-45)

Pitching Probables: TEX – Alexi Ogando (9-3, 2.92 ERA)  LAA – Tyler Chatwood (5-5, 3.62 ERA)

Game Info: 7:05 PM PT; TV - KCOP; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

It is the series we've all been waiting.  The series that, even in mid-July, is poised to shape the face of the AL West.  The series that will tell us right now whether or not the Angels are true contenders or just pretenders to the throne.

Not to put too fine of a point on it, but the Angels have a lot riding on this series.  This is both the last time they face the Rangers and play a home game before the trade deadline arrives.  As of right now, the Halos are very much expected to be buyers on the trade market, but that can change in a big hurry if the Angels drop this series or, perish the thought, get swept.  Sorry, but if the Angels find themselves seven games back and facing a ten-game roadie after this series, then I don't know if they can seriously still consider themselves as having a chance at making the post-season.  Sure, they have still have ten more games against the Rangers after this series, but how confident would they really be in being able to use those remaining games to close the very large gap?

On the flip side, if the Angels emerge victorious from this series (and not even with a sweep), then it is officially game on because they are almost assuredly going to be in the race until the end and that means we should all be demanding Tony Reagins make good on his proclamations of having no restrictions at the deadline so that he can go and get whatever help this team can get so that they don't just hang tight with the Rangers, but rather overtake them altogether.

The Trout Tracker is going on hiatus this week since our hero is still doing his thing up in the bigs, but the spirit of the tracker shall live on with a different future Angel star.

I had thought about picking Jean Segura, but I didn't think giving weekly updates on a hamstring injury would be all that interesting.  I thought about Garrett Richards too, but I think my infatuation with him is largely based on him and I sharing a first name, besides, starting pitchers just aren't as exciting.  Finally, I settled on none other than slugging third baseman Kaleb Cowart.

Really, Cowart should have been the easy and obvious choice.  As last year's first round pick, Cowart clearly has the pedigree to be considered a future star, and his power potential certainly backs that up.  On talent alone, Cowart could very well be considered the Angels top prospect this time next year.  From an actual production standpoint, Cowart may not have a long resume, but what he is doing this year is plenty impressive.

Cowart may have had a poor though abbreviated debut in rookie ball last year, but he has made that a distant memory in Orem this year.  Since Orem is only short-season ball, Cowart has just 104 at-bats this year, but he has a .375/.429/.500 slash line...

OK, that line is nice, but it isn't great.  It just doesn't hold up to Trout-ian standards.

Sigh.

Look, Cowart could be great, but he could also be not so great.  He does strike out a lot with 25 Ks in those 104 at-bats.  In fact, he kind of reminds me of Mark Trumbo in that his biggest tool is his power, but his ability to keep his average up and strikeouts down remains a question.  Heck, when Cowart was drafted, there was real question whether or not he'd be a position player or a pitcher... just like Trumbo.  Now, I say this as if being another Trumbo is a bad thing, but that isn't what I mean at all.  The point I am trying to get across is that Cowart has big time potential, but he is far from a sure thing and there is no sense firing up the hype machine until we see a little more of him.  So, I guess this might be the first and last Cowart Coverage for the foreseeable future.

Sorry, Kaleb, thanks for trying though.

The July 19th, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including the Angels showing trade interest in Aramis Ramirez and Wilson Betemit, Reagins says he has no restrictions at the trade deadline, Nolan Ryan hospitalized with heart problems and much more...

The Story: The Angels have shown interest in trading for Aramis Ramirez and Wilson Betemit.

The Monkey Says: Ramirez I very much understand, though it sounds like he isn't going to waive his no-trade clause.  As for Betemit, I guess he at least provides some depth, but really he is just another version of Alberto Callaspo only with a bit more pop and a worse glove.

The Story: Tony Reagins insists that he has no restrictions at the coming trade deadline.

The Monkey Says: Sorry, but I'm calling his bluff.  I get that he has to say that he has no restrictions so he doesn't lose negotiating leverage, but the fact that he is saying it pretty much confirms that it is BS.  The Angels almost never talk trade to the media because they like to play things close to the vest, so I can only assume Tony is tipping his hand now because he wants to bluff the competition.  Besides, we've all season the payroll figures for the Halos, so we know just how much budget room they really have left (which is none).

People say that "hate" is a strong word, but I really hate the Texas Rangers.  I used to not care about them all that much, but in the last few years, they have quickly grown into the Angels biggest and most loathsome rival.

Why?  There is no one reason, but rather a series of offenses that have turned them from a mere nuisance into a hated foe:

• Pompous Josh Hamilton and his BS excuses about not being able to hit during the day because he has blue eyes
• Ian Kinsler and his general punkass nature
• Adrian Beltre glowering at everyone all the time, especially when they touch his head (spuring the Angels in free agency didn't help)
• The Rangers always busting out their red alternate jerseys whenever they play the Halos
• CJ Wilson always running his mouth
• Texas somehow acquiring Cliff Lee at the 2010 trade deadline despite being bankrupt
• That stupid "deer antlers" hand signal
• Southern California vs. Texas, possibly two of the most different major markets in the country

I could go on and on about this, but what really chaps my ass right now is that the Halos were on a real tear the last few weeks and STILL lost ground on the Rangers because those jerkwads had to go and win 11 games in a row.  The question I want to put to the rest of you though is if you share in my hatred for the Rangers and, if so, how deep does that hate run?

Time to vote!

1. I don't hate them at all, baseball is just a game
2. I can't say I like them, but I begrudingly respect them
3. Not quite hate, but intense dislike
4. I have them more than any other team in baseball
5. If I see a Ranger crossing the street in front of my car, I'm stepping on the accelerator

To place your vote, simply find the Poll of the Week in the gray sidebar to the right.

The July 18th, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including Peter Bourjos placed on the DL, Fernando Rodney gets off to a rough start in rehab, Angels targeting left-handed hitters via trade and much more...

The Story: Peter Bourjos was placed on the DL and Alexi Amarista was called up to take his place.

The Monkey Says: Speedy Petey just finished saying he would be good to go this weekend but he apparently jinxed it because his hammy tightened up during some sprint drills.  That will likely mean that Bourjos won't be available again until next weekend.  You know what that means?  More Mike Trout for us!

The Story: Fernando Rodney got roughed up in his first rehab appearance this weekend.

The Monkey Says: He gets roughed up a lot in the majors, so I guess this means he's ready, right?

So much for building momentum going into the big Texas series.  I know every team has days like this every once in awhile, but did it have to be today?  As the Comic Book Guy on The Simpsons would say, "worst... timing... ever."

Athletics 9, Angels 1

There is no use in analyzing a disaster like this really, but the one major concern it created for me was whether or not Joel Pineiro is actually OK.  Joel has only walked four batters in a game once this year and issued just 23 free passes all season long before today and yet he goes out and walks four of the first five batters he faced.  His velocity appeared to be fine, but given the arm problems he experienced before the season started, I can't help but wonder if something physical caused his command to completely abandon him.

If he is hurt, it would be comically bad timing.  Pineiro's oblique injury last season around this time but a major damper on their already slim playoff hopes and a potential injury now would be just as dampening, especially since the Halos have virtually no starting pitching depth.

Then again, maybe it was just a bad day.  Maybe the extended time between starts threw Pineiro out of rhythm, I don't know.  What I do know is that I am immensely glad that the Angels have an off day tomorrow to get this nasty taste out of their mouth before the big bad Rangers come to town.

That was seriously a lot of baseball yesterday. It was nice of the Angels to make one of my predictions finally come true by heading game two into extra innings. Too bad they couldn't get the important part of the prediction right...the frickin' win. All in all, a mixed bag comes from this experience as the Angels split the twin bill and lose 1/2 a game in the standings. It's like kissing your sister. you are not happy about it but it could be worse, you could have to kiss your brother. Now the boys head into today's game with a real need for a win but first let's look back at the marathon that was yesterday's action

Game one -- Angels 4 A's 2
Game two -- Angels 3 A's 4