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New York Yankees (31-23) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (29-29)

Pitching Probables: NYY -- Ivan Nova (4-3, 4.67 ERA) LAA – Jered Weaver (6-4, 2.10 ERA)

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

I use to despise the Yankees with all the venom in my heart. I couldn't stand the smug nature of their owner. I hated the pinstripes and the arrogance of he Yankee fans. I hated the fact that when the Yanks were in town the Big A felt like a road game. But something has changed over the past few years. I have transferred that hatred to the Red Sox, rendering the Yankees slighlty less significant a series in my mind. Not sure if that is shared by all Angel fans but I for one feel less enthused to see the Yankes then I used to.

Howie Kendrick and Vernon Wells are eligible to come off the DL very soon, with Howie's return scheduled for this Saturday. This poses a problem for the Angels however, with the signing of Russell Branyan what happens to the other spot currently occupied by an unlucky Angel? Who is going to be riding the pine for the forseeable future?

 

Branyan's arrival on this roster means more shakeups for this team. Oh joy!

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Erstad named the head coach at Nebraska, Trout could be called up now and avoid being a Super Two, Ric Wilson discusses preparation for his first draft and much more...

The Story: Former Angels star Darin Erstad has been named the head coach of the Nebraska University baseball team.

The Monkey Says: My boy is all growns up.  Erstad, my favorite player ever and a Nebraska alum (one of these points is pertinent to the conversation, one is not, I'll let you decide), always seemed destined to manage at some level and it is really impressive that he was able to ascend to the top job with the Cornhuskers so quickly.

The Story: The Angels could call up Mike Trout now without risking him reaching Super Two status.

The Monkey Says: That is actually a pretty big deal, because if he qualified as a "Super Two" he could hit free agency a year early.  It is kind of an academic point though as it seems unlikely that the Halos will call up Trout anytime soon, if at all, in 2011.

The Story: New Angel scouting director Ric Wilson preps for his first draft.

The Monkey Says: This will be a big draft for the Angels as Wilson is already under pressure to perform since he is replacing the well-regarded Eddie Bane.  As for strategy, it sounds as if he will be similar to Bane, but wants to be more "physical" which is kind of a weird statement.  It doesn't sound like he is talking about athleticism and might be talking about focusing on power hitters, but we won't really know what he means or if he is even being straight with the media until after the draft unfolds.

As you may have heard, the Angels had to make an emergency landing on their flight home from Kansas City.  I think we've learned from movies like Almost Famous that near-death experiences often lead to spontaneous declarations being made by the airline passengers.  As always, the Monkey With a Halo quadruple top secret, totally not pretend as far as you know microphones were conveniently in place to capture the panic during this near disaster, allowing us to present you with the top ten comments we overheard during the emergency landing.

No, we can't die now!  We never got to see Mike Trout play!!!!

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Haren tweaks his back, Kendrick will return Saturday, Angels are all lagging in All-Star balloting and much more...

The Story: Dan Haren "tweaked" his back in a bullpen session yesterday and may have to skip his next start.

The Monkey Says: Let's hope that is as severe as it gets because the description of him getting hurt sounds like it could be worse.

The Story: Howie Kendrick will be activated from the DL on Saturday.

The Monkey Says: The question is whether or not he can pick up where he left off before he got hurt.

The Story: No Angels figure prominently in the first results of All-Star balloting.

The Monkey Says: Aybar and Izturis are fifth in voting at their positions and that is as good as it gets.  There is still plenty of time left to vote, but I seriously doubt any Angel position player can be voted into a starting spot.

Back at the .500 club so soon? But you just left! Did you miss the sweet aroma of mediocrity? I bet you sure did! Why don't you go bring some of your buddies like Texas back with you? If it's good enough for you it might as well be good enough for them

Angels 0 Royals 2 

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Los Angeles Angels Anaheim (29-28) @ Kansas City Royals (24-30)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Tyler Chatwood (3-2, 4.13 ERA)  KC – Felipe Paulino (0-4, 5.68 ERA)

Game Info: 1:10 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

Ah, dammit.  The Angels are totally boned.  Really, they should just forfeit this game and get the guys an extra day of rest.  Why you ask?  Because Felipe Paulino is starting.

Who is Felipe Paulino, you ask?  Exactly.  I have no idea and that's the problem.

What I do know about Paulino is that he hasn't made a start all season long and has been generally ineffective pitching in relief.  In other words, he is the exact kind of pitcher that has been making fools of the Angels all season long.

The only remaining question is whether Paulino will merely shutout the Halos or if he will be the pitcher who finally no-hits them?