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Chicago White Sox (14-22) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (20-16)

Pitching Probables: CWS – John Danks (0-5, 3.83 ERA)  LAA – Joel Pineiro (1-0, 0.71 ERA)

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

Could this be the beginning of this decade's version of the Rally Monkey?

The Angels are handing out Angel-themed luchadore masks to everyone in attendance tonight as they seek to break a world record in a thinly veiled attempt to garner media attention and some extra ticket sales.  But this gaudy marketing effort could be more than meets the eye.  We've already gotten a sneak preview of what magical powers these masks hold when a very punchy Victor Rojas and Mark Gubicza donned them in the Angels' extra-inning win over the BoSox:

One can only imagine what will happen if the Angels win big tonight with the entire stadium rocking the masks, especially if it is a comeback victory.  It took me a long time to begrudingly accept the Rally Monkey and I have even come to love it (thus the name of this blog), but these masks?  As goofy as they are, they are much more palatable and my imagination is already running away from me, conjuring up images of a raucous and masked Angel Stadium crowd intimidating the opposition in late-October.

It has already been said a lot as a joke, but the line that it isn't like the Angels are going to get worse now that Vernon Wells is on the disabled list with a groin injury is actually kind of true.

Forgive me for taking WAR (Wins Above Replacement) so literally, but seeing how Vernon has been worth a -0.3 WAR, he is by statistical definition replaceable.  Actually, if you want to get technical, the Angels not only don't get worse, they might actually get better if they fill Wells' spot with someone who is merely replacement-level (and that ain't very good).

More Mark Trumbo?  He is playing much better than Wells, that's for sure, can't complain about him getting more ABs, even if he might be a trainwreck in the outfield.

Move Bobby Abreu to left?  Speaking of awful defense.  Moving Abreu out of the DH still means finding another replacement in the lineup, though it could help get Callaspo, Izturis, Kendrick and Aybar in the same lineup on a regular basis, which has been a quality arrangement thus far this season.

Alexi Amarista?  Hard to say since he is so new, but it isn't like the little man is filling very big shoes (Amarista stature jokes will never get old, and I argue that they might actually somehow make the team better, I'm not sure how, but I believe it in my heart of hearts).

Reggie Willits?  Yeah, I know, but over the course of his career he has contributed at replacement level or at least close to it.  At least he won't hurt the defense.

Chris Pettit or Jeremy Moore?  Now we are entering "they could be worse" territory, but both have a bit of upside, so why not give them a look?

Mike Trout?  OK, calm down.  Rein in that imagination, because this isn't an option and Scioscia even said as much in not so many words.

Nonetheless, you see what I'm going for here.  The options to replace Vernon are, how can I put this nicely?  Uninspiring?  Mildly depressing?  Indicative of the Angels lack of organization depth in the high minors?  A textbook example of why you shouldn't carry three catchers?  Wait!  I got it-

Not very good, but still good enough to be no worse than Wells was before the injury and possibly even a little bit better.  What they aren't, however, is real high on potential for quick and significant improvement.

At long last the rain has stopped for the Arkansas Travelers and the sun has come out to shine... as has Mike Trout!

Finally freed from the shackles of the soggy conditions, Trout has been playing like a man possessed this week.  Check out his stats this week:

11-for-25, 6 BB, 1 3B, 2 HR, 2 SB, 2 K

That is impressive no matter who you are.  But what really impresses me most about his week isn't the power stroke, but rather the high number of walks and low number of strikeouts.  He now sports an OBP almsot 100 points greater than his batting average, which is elite level patience and plate discipline and that feat is only amplified by how young he is.

Considering that Trout has had no trouble maintaining his patience while not suffering from an appreciable increase in his K-rate, one really has to start wondering just how soon he'll get the call to move to Triple-A.  I know he doesn't even have 100 Double-A ABs yet, but with such little trouble adjusting to such a big jump in talent, the Angels should show little hesitation in moving him to Triple-A to begin his final preparations for his 2012 MLB arrival.

Honestly, the only reason I can think of for them not to promote him by the end of this month (rather than at the All-Star break as most people expect) is that it will only increase the public pressure to jump him to the majors this season, especially now that Vernon Wells is hurt.

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 including Aybar feeling comfortable batting leadoff, checking in with the Angels' top prospects, Wells headed to the DL with a groin injury and much more...

The Story: Erick Aybar appears to finally feel comfortable batting leadoff.

The Monkey Says: The funny this is the title of the article calls him "new and improved."  What I see is the old 2009 version of Aybar, a guy who felt free to aggressively approach at-bats, as his is instinct, not trying to force himself into being a pitch-taker like he did last season.

The Story: Jon Heyman checks in on the top prospects in baseball, including Mike Trout, in light of all the recent big-name prospect promotions.

The Monkey Says: It is understandable that people might start getting excited about a Trout call-up, but don't hold your breath.  He is doing more than fine in Double-A, but I highly doubt the Angels would force him into the majors so quickly, especially after promising not to call him up at all before the season.

The Story: None of the Angels three first-round picks from last season have played yet this season.

The Monkey Says: All three (Kaleb Cowart, Chevez Clarke and Cam Bedrosian) will play short-season ball this year, so this is not a big deal at all.  It is just a slow news day and I thought it was interesting that these three hot prospects still have yet to see any game action.  Alas, short-season play is still over a month away, so we will have to continue to wait for these three to make their 2011 debut.

Can we make it fast too? I'm exhausted and I need sleep before I go insane. 

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Chicago White Sox (13-22) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (20-15)

Pitching Probables: CHI – Edwin Jackson (2-4, 4.98 ERA)  LAA - Ervin Santana (1-3, 4.43 ERA)

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

So Mr. Hawk Harrelson, you think the ChiSox are going to catch a break with the Angels rotation huh? You think they'll finally pick it up against the Angels? Do you not remember this same rotation sweeping the White Sox on their own home field? Not happening buddy, especially not in Anaheim.

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Los Angeles of Anaheim nine that day:
The score stood four to two, with but one inning more to play.
And then when Hunter died at first, and Wells did the same,
A sickly silence fell upon the patrons of the game.

A straggling few got up to go in deep despair. The rest
Clung to that hope which springs eternal in the human breast;
They thought, if only Kendrys could get but a whack at that -
We'd put up even money, now, with Kendrys at the bat.

But Callaspo preceded Kendrys, as did also Jeff Mathis,
And the former was a lulu and the latter was a miss;
So upon that stricken multitude grim melancholy sat,
For there seemed but little chance of Kendrys' getting to the bat.