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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim   (33-36) @ Seattle Mariners (34-34)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Ervin Santana (3-6, 4.37 ERA)  SEA – Erik Bedard (3-4, 3.47 ERA)

Game Info: 7:10 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

Just like I had hoped, the Angels are eyed a huge series sweep against the Mariners that would put them within striking distance of 1st place in the AL West. My one worry however, is whether or not Santana will be able to find consistency in his pitches. If he can somehow find a way to keep the ball in the park, unlike his last 3 starts, then the Angels will stand a great chance of winning this game against the Mariners. Yes I know that is an extremely obvious statement to make, how else am I going to fluff up this paragraph? 

The latest batch of All-Star voting results are in and the Angels are pretty much nowhere to be found, not that it should be a surprise to anyone.  And since it looks like the Halos don't stand a chance at any position player representation, I can go ahead and vote my mind for the All-Star game, which conveniently fulfills my BBA obligation of doing so.

Daily Links for the LA Angels Kazmir's Angel career may be over after another awful rehab start, Scioscia says divisions will not be eliminated in realignment, evaluating the best move of Reagins' tenure and much more...

The Story: Scott Kazmir got lit up in his latest minor league rehab start, which might mean the end of his Angel career.

The Monkey Says: Kaz got shelled for six runs in 1.2 innings of work.  Details aren't even really necessary at this point, but these kind of results show just how helpless his case is.  He still has time left on his rehab assignment, so the Angels may let him finish it out since they are paying him anyway, but make no mistake, he will be released very soon.

The Story: Mike Scioscia claims eliminating divisions is not part of the plans for potential realignment.

The Monkey Says: Sosh is on the Commissioner's advisory committee, so if he says it isn't happening, then it isn't happening and I am all in favor of that.

What a perfect way to deliver the Angels organization their 4,000th victory as a club, a CG shutout by arguably their best player on the team. The offense, on the other hand, was extremely disappointing to watch. They still managed to turn in a victory, so all is good tonight in Anaheim.

Angels 4 Mariners 0 

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (32-36) @ Seattle Mariners (34-33)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Jered Weaver (7-4, 2.24 ERA)  SEA – Doug Fister (3-7, 3.40 ERA)

Game Info: 7:10 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

As my regular readers know, I have recently transplanted from Southern California to Seattle.  Smart as I am, I timed my move perfectly so that I can attend an Angels game pretty much as soon as I got here and tonight will be that night.  Yes, the Monkey will be in attendance at tonight's game.

I shamefully admit that this is the first Angel game I have actually been at the park for since my daughter was born almost two years ago.  I wish I could've made one final trip to the Big A, but I here only positive things about Safeco, so I suppose it will do just fine.  Either way, I get to see an Angel game live, so I am a happy man.

Double your pleasure, double your Trout!

All those early season rain-outs are finally coming being made up and that means some extra Trout action for all of us with the Travs logging eight games this week.

Since Trout is no mere mortal, he started all eight of those games and made the most of every single one of them.  His line for the week was awfully impressive, take a look for yourself:

14/30, 1 2B, 3 3B, 1 HR, 11 R, 3 RBI, 2 BB, 6 SB

Holy Studly Prospect, Batman!  That's not just a good week, that's a good month for most players.  I think it is safe to say that Trout is starting to outgrow his Double-A environment, which is really perfect timing since the mid-season break is just about two weeks away, making it an ideal time to promote Trout to Triple-A.  Until then, he'll surely just keep destroying the competition and we will get to sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

That's it for this week, check back in next week to see what happens to our future hero.  Same Trout Time.  Same Trout Channel... err, blog.

Daily Links for the LA Angels Rodney hits the DL, pointing fingers at Tony Reagins, wondering if the Angels would trade Weaver and much more...

The Story: Fernando Rodney was placed on the DL with an upper back strain.  Bobby Cassevah was called up to take his place.

The Monkey Says: I can't help but think that the upper back problems Fraudney is experiencing have something to do with his hat always being on crooked.  Perhaps the uneven weight distribution was finally too much for his muscles.  It doesn't sound like Rodney will be gone long, not that anyone will shed a tear if he is.  What is curious is that Cassevah got the promotion over Michael Kohn.  Kohn's numbers in Triple-A are very good while Cassevah's are much less so.  I can't even begin to understand the logic there.

The Story: If anyone should be fired, it is Tony Reagins, not Mickey Hatcher.

The Monkey Says: Can't we do both?  I'm pretty sure this isn't a pick one and only one situation.