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Seattle Mariners (43-45) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (47-42)

Pitching Probables: SEA – Blake Bleavan (1-0, 1.29 ERA) LAA – Ervin Santana (4-8, 3.59 ERA)

Game Info: 7:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

Not much to talk about for tonight's game against the Mariners. Nope, nothing newsworthy at all today...

MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!!


That's right, in case you have been living in a cave you know that the Angels called up Mike Trout to take over centerfield for the injured Peter Bourjos (this century's Wally Pipp if everything goes according to plan). Trout gets to bat ninth and patrol the Big A outfield as the Angels try to stay in the AL West hunt.

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Seattle Mariners (43-44) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim   (46-42)

Pitching Probables: SEA – Doug Fister (3-9, 3.02 ERA) LAA – Jered Weaver (10-4, 1.92 ERA) 

Game Info: 7:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

This team's going to have to find a way to bounce back after yesterdays bitter loss, all thanks to the blowpen. The best way to do so? Smash the opposing starting pitcher right out of the game. I'm not saying the Angels are going to knock Fister out of the game early, which they already proved they can't do, I'm just thinking it would be good for this offense. Maybe they'll learn how to keep applying pressure after yesterdays rather pathetic offensive showing.

The debate rages on as to whether or not the Angels actually can take on salary at the trade deadline, and if so, how much.  Early reports stated that they couldn't add a dollar, but Tony Reagins is now claiming they have no budgetary constraints.  Me?  I tend to believe the truth always lies somewhere in the middle.

Arte Moreno is never going to be so cheap as to close his wallet for everything, but I tend to think that he is only going to be willing to add another million or two to the payroll this year.  Maybe he'll make an exception if a superstar falls in their lap, but I'm not going to hold my breath for that.  Instead, let's take a look at some of the bargain-priced players that the Angels could set their sights on come the trade deadline.

The July 7th, 2011 edition of daily news for the LA Angels including Aybar and Wells are both hurting, assessing just how great Haren's recent shutout really was, Scioscia offers his opinion on the recent rash of ejections and much more...

The Story: Vernon Wells and Erick Aybar are both nursing minor injuries.

The Monkey Says: Wells got moved to DH to rest his ankle a bit, while Aybar got the day off.  Both of them sound like they are going to be fine, but the Halos are wisely playing it safe with each guy so that they don't get hurt before the All-Star break.

The Story: Haren's Wednesday shutout stacks up as one of the best in team history.

The Monkey Says: Haren moves into elite company because he didn't walk anyone but did get 9 Ks.  I think what this goes to show is that even though it wasn't as sexy as a no-hitter, Haren's dominance over Detroit should earn him some real notoriety and credit as an elite starter in this league.

I apologize in advance, but I must make this recap as short and sweet as possible. Without further ado, here is today's much anticipated recap.

Tigers 5 Angels 4

If you are the kind of fan that can't get enough of their favorite Angel player, then Twitter sure is for you.  Several of the Halo players are active Twitter users and the things they say, well, let's just say that they lie somewhere between insightful and inane.  Let's take a look at what the Angels are tweeting this week!

Victor Rojas provides some enlightening TV viewing advice - @VictorRojas29 Just watched the Joey Chestnut highlight from yesterday & when it ended, I burped. I can imagine how he feels.

• Can someone get Victor some Rolaids?  And maybe the TV remote since he can watch something good for a change?  Heck, earlier that day he was saying he was watching 2012, but was basically too lazy to change the channel.

Vernon Wells panders to the military - @VernonWells10 Happy 4th of July!! Thx to all the troops for our independence!

• I wonder if this is the first time Vernon has been able to wish a happy 4th of July since he played in Canada up until this year?  Maybe he just observed Canada Day on July 1st.  Or maybe he celebrated both and thus got twice the fireworks action!

Howie Kendrick thanks his peers for his All-Star vote - @HKendrick47 I appreciate the love guys. It feels great to be voted in by my peers. I'm definitely excited! Once again thanks everyone.

• My only wish would have been for Howie to be able to thank the fans, only Angel fans couldn't even get Howie into the top 5 of AL second baseman in the voting.

Pain and philosophy from Torii Hunter - @toriihunter48 Getting hit in the hand last nite was painful but it's a long way from the heart. No broken bones just bruised. Be back real soon.

• I love Torii, but he uses platitudes like that all the time in his tweets, blogs and interviews.  Normally this wouldn't be a problem, expect I think it is going to lead to him having a long, illustrious post-baseball announcing career where he ends up being prominently featured on Awful Announcing.

...and finally, we save the best for last.  Every week, we're going to play a little game called "What the hell is Angels prospect Chevez Clarke tweeting about?"  If you don't follow Chevy... don't.  He might be insane.  His tweets consistently make no sense and always seem to be one sentence from the middle of a conversation, only he isn't talking to anyone.  So, without further adieu, here are a few of Chevy's "unique observations."

@OfficialChevy Eagles sore with eagles... Turkeys get left behind

@OfficialChevy So when I come back... I'm havin comeback parties.. Need to set something up asap.. Hmu... Who trying pull up with me tho...

• I'm not sure what is worse: the bad grammar, the sloppy spelling or the nonsensical ramblings.  Also, if eagles "sore" and turkeys get left behind, what happens to chickens, parrots and penguins?

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Detroit Tigers (45-42) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (46-41)

Pitching Probables: DET – Brad Penny (5-6, 4.43 ERA)  LAA – Tyler Chatwood (5-5, 3.83 ERA)

Game Info: 12:35 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

The Texas Rangers are persistent ones, stil holding on to first place in the midst of this 4 game win streak. It isn't to hard to do that when you're facing the Baltimore Orioles of all teams, while it speaks wonders for the Angels that they're able to keep it up against a real contender. A win today would give the Angels their 5th win in a row, their 2nd series sweep on this homestand in which the Angels are 7-1. Of all the starters the Angels put their trust in to bring home the sweep it comes down to Tyler Chatwood, and I couldn't feel more comfortable.