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Boston Red Sox (7-11) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (12-7)

Pitching Probables: LAA – Dan Haren (4-0, 1.16 ERA)  BOS – John Lester (1-1, 3.20 ERA)

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

So it is becoming clearer and clearer that the massive run production that occured in Texas was an aberration and I will be spending the remainder of the season wondering how Mickey Hatcher still has a job. Seriously, I understand that everyone says the hardest thing to do is to hit a round ball with a round bat, but it seems that the Angels hitting coach has not found the magic teaching method to get his hitters to put the ball in play. So once again, poor Dan Haren will have to probably do it all himself against the suddenly alive Red Sox.

I realize that Free For All Friday has quickly devolved into Shameless Self-Promotion Friday, but it is my blog and I'll do what I want.  Anyway, on to my latest announcement.

For those of you who haven't noticed it in the Game Previews the last two days, I will be joining the folks (I'd call them good folks, but they are Red Sox fans, so how "good" can they be?) at Firebrand of the American League for a live chat throughout the game.  Now, I don't know if I am the only Angel blogger that will slumming it over with the BoSox fans, so it could get pretty ugly pretty quick if some Halo faithful don't show up to have my back.  So, please, if you have nothing better to do on Saturday, come join the chat and help me deal with all of those Massholes.

I'll have a link up for the chat sometime tomorrow, but until then, please follow the directions in the sign above.

The Angels now have to rebound from a disappointing extra innings affair after throwing away a big hit by Hunter and a strong start by Chatwood.


Angels 2 Red Sox 4 

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Morales "isn't close to playing in games yet," Pineiro could rejoin the Angels on their next road trip, Izturis says fans who call him fragile are "ignorant" and much more...

The Story: Kendrys Morales is making progress in his rehab, but "he isn't close to playing in games yet."

The Monkey Says: This is supposed to be a good update, but that little phrase there doesn't really give me the warm and fuzzies.  I am starting to think that getting Morales back on the field for the Halos may not happen until June.

The Story: Joel Pineiro could rejoin the Angels on their next road trip.

The Monkey Says: At least this is some good news.  I was definitely concerned about Pineiro's shoulder, but it sounds like he is going to be just fine.

The Story: Mike Scioscia wants Torii Hunter to "settle down" at the plate.

The Monkey Says: What is it about Angel sluggers and trying too hard?  Hopefully Hunter can follow Vernon Wells' and learn to just let it all go and start playing free and easy.

I don't even know how to react to this just yet, but, in case you missed it, fans at tonight's game actually threw money at Carl Crawford.  Don't believe me?  Here is a screen cap from the Fox Sports West broadcast.

H/T to Sam Miller at the OC Register

On one hand, I think this is a somewhat petty response to a guy spurning the Angels in free agency when, in fact, it was probably more likely the Angel front office clusterf@$%icng the negotiations that caused Crawford to wind up in Boston.

On the other hand, this is totally awesome and hilarious and I don't think I have ever been more proud of a Angel fans for stepping up and showing some real pride and fervor.  I honestly don't think I can remember any other fans doing this to another player before (if I am wrong, please let me know, it is late and my memory is a bit foggy).  Seriously, this is great, even if it was a bit misguided these fans that gave up their own hard-earned money show their disdain for Crawford just earned Southern California baseball fans a whole lot of street cred.  Bravo, everyone, bravo.

So has everyone settled down about Brandon Wood getting DFA'd yet?  Yes, yes, it is a big deal and we are all simultaneously happy/sad to see Wood go.  Nobody likes to see a player get handed his walking papers, but Wood definitely had his chances and he didn't even come close to taking advantage of them.  Thus he had to go and even with as frustrating as he was, parting still proved to be such sweet sorrow.

Well, fans, get ready for some more of that sweet sorrow because we are about to get a truckload over the next month or two.