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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (15-12) @ Tampa Bay Rays (15-12)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Jered Weaver (6-0, 0.99 ERA)  TB – Alex Cobb (0-0, -.-- ERA)

Game Info: 10:40 AM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

What a difference a season makes.  Despite a career year in 2010, Jered Weaver won a mere 13 games in 34 starts but this year he is making his seventh start with a chance to win his seventh game.  That is just plain nuts.

Now before the SABR community gets in a tizzy, I fully realize that getting a win in a game is not entirely within a pitcher's control.  That being said, Weaver has done as much as humanly possible to earn his six wins.  He has pitched into the seventh or later in every start, thus minimizing the chance of a bullpen blown save, and, most importantly, he has allowed more than one run just once.  And it isn't like he has gotten loads of run support either.  Twice the Angels have scored three runs for Weaver.  Twice they've scored four runs.  Twice they've scored five runs.  That ain't a whole lot of run support, folks.  What I am getting at here is that none of his six wins have been of the cheap variety, he has definitely worked for each and every one of them.

The question though is if he can get his seventh.  If Weaver keeps pitching like he has, I see no reason why he can't.  And if he doesn't, hopefully the Angel offense can help him pick up one of the aforementioned "cheap" wins.  After all, they do kind of owe him one.

See what happens when you start to give a small amount of credit to the Angels bullpen? They trot Fraudney and his sideways cap out for an inning too long and he ends up costing the game. Which is too bad since it spoiled a great pitchers match up as Joel Pineiro came off the DL and into the rotation with a bang. It just would have been nice if the Halo Hitters had joined in the reunion party.

Angels 1 Rays 2

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (15-11) @ Tampa Bay Rays (14-12)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Joel Pineiro (0-0, 0.00 ERA)  TB -- James Shields (2-1, 2.35 ERA)

Game Info: 10:10AM PT; TV - Fox Channel 11; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

We welcome the return of Joel Pineiro not only for what he brings to mound as a real professional pitcher but for the fact that we can now stop the charade that was Matt Palmer as a starting member of the staff. Pineiro's other main benefit is that if his sinker is working it means tons of ground balls, which is welcome news to the outfield who after running all over the place chasing the other pitchers flyballs, could use a day off. Pineiro will most likely be on a pitch count so that means a trip to middle of the bullpen, which is still a cause for some concern but I have high hopes for today's game. Now about the start time.

The beginning of the latest east coast swing began with a nice start for the offense and a decent outing from Ervin Santana. I gotta think the Angels are viewing the Tampa part of the trip as a way to get things moving in anticipation of their rematch with the Red Sox. Tonight's game should serve as a template for how to play Angel ball in 2011; good starting pitching, timely hitting throughout the line-up, great outfield defense and the bullpen coming on a closing things down with a lead. Seems so simple when you put it down on paper...

Angels 8 Rays 5

My fourth wedding anniversary is coming up in a few weeks, so I am trying to brainstorm some gift ideas (candlesticks always make a nice gift).  So, naturally I turned to the good ol' internets for some help.  Imagine my surprise when I found out the fourth wedding anniversary is the fruit anniversary.

Seriously?  I am supposed to give my wife a banana for our anniversary (sexual innuendo NOT intended).  I know it is the thought that counts, but I'm pretty sure I am going to be sleeping on the lawn if I give my wife a fruit basket.  Whoever decided upon these anniversary themes is clearly an idiot.

Worst.  Anniversary gift.  Ever.

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Heyman doubts the Angels can keep Weaver, Locker goes high in the NFL draft, Scioscia tries to temper expectations for the youngsters and much more...

The Story: Jon Heyman basically thinks the Angels are too inept to keep Jered Weaver.

The Monkey Says: This is just the stupid national media not knowing much about the Angels.  Heyman says the Halos have a history of letting their own top free agents "get away."  More like walk away, Jon.  Seriously, who have they lost that they wished the had kept?  Figgins?  Nope.  Lackey?  Nope.  K-Rod?  Probably not because of his attitude.  Glaus?  Maybe, but hardly a big regret.  The Angels are smart and they will have the money to keep Weaver if they really want to.  The only real obstacle I see is their tumultous relationship with Scott Boras.

The Story: Angel prospect Jake Locker was drafter #8 overall by Tennessee in the NFL draft.

The Monkey Says: So much for him possibly sliding and reconsidering a baseball career.  Now the Halos will have to hope he flames out quickly in the NFL instead.

The Story: Mike Scioscia warns against inflated expectations for the youngsters.

The Monkey Says: I hope the Halos listen to their own advice too.  Let's not forget how much they overrated Erick Aybar after one good season and how they maintained high expectations for Brandon Wood even after the evidence started mounting against him.

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Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (14-11) @ Tampa Bay Rays (14-11)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Ervin Santana (0-3, 5.51 ERA)  TB -- David Price (3-2, 3.19 ERA)

Game Info: 4:10 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

What is up with this schedule? Wasn't it just a couple of weeks ago that the Angels played Tampa Bay in a two game set before having to fly all the way across country to have their home opener? Now they are back in the sun belt for a three game series before four more with the Red Sox? So by this time next week the Halos will have played more games against the AL East then the West and a total of 8 games vs. the Sox and 5 against the Rays. I feel like this sort of brutal opening to the season may have repurcussions later in the season. On top of that we now get the Rays as they are starting to hit and the pitching is starting to solidy as opposed to the last time we visitied when Tampa still had the two juicer Manny Ramirez and his below the Mendoza line batting average to take advantage of. No such luck this time out.