The last few days there has been increasing chatter about how the loss of Torii Hunter has turned the Angels into mindless zombies who show little or no emotion on the field. I bemoaned the lack of interest just yesterday, although I think the Hunter thing is a bit overblown. In reality, the Angels just needed some kind of spark. Tonight, Albert Pujols reminded us that this is his team and he will carry them out of the whole they have dug. He may be a machine, but he is also the heart and soul of the Halos.

Angels 5 Astros 4

At what point does the old axiom "it's early" stop being true? Just when we thought the Angels couldn't sink any lower in this young season, along comes tonight's game. This was the very definition of a mail it in affair. The starting pitching was atrocious again and the hitters had no interest in even being at the plate. More concerning I feel is the overall body language of the team. They just seem not to be interested in playing ball right now. The shots of the dugout show almost no chatter, no interaction and no energy. Did anyone ever even consider that at any time this year the Angels would be trailing the Astros by 2 games? Well, wake up Angel fans, this is not nightmare.

Angels 0 Astros 5

Oh God.

It’s happening again, isn’t it? The Angel’s have started April with an ongoing fool’s joke. Last year we went 3-6 in the first nine. Now we’re 2-7.  Last year we had a bullpen who looked like they were collectively trying to step up from little league. This year, they look like they’re all playing, surreptitiously, for the opposition. Last year we had a huge name, huge money signing who didn’t fire in April. This year…

You get the picture.

Injuries hurt, sure. Weaver is out for an optimistic 4-6 weeks. Aybar, who started well, is out until at least Tuesday. But that doesn’t excuse leaving runners on base like you’re trying to collect a set, or throwing middle innings batters pitches that resemble whackamole targets.

So, is there an upside? Optimistically, maybe.

Hamilton, who hasn’t stunned anyone (and frankly, sucked in his return to Texas) is starting to hit.

Howie Kendrick seems to have decided this is his year.

Pujols, Bourjos and Trumbo are all doing what they’re paid to do, early.

Garrett Richards is going to get the starting rotation spot I’ve been angling for since last year; I hate the reason he’s getting it, but I do think he deserves it.  

Trout is still the talk of the town. It will be interesting to see when “town”, turns.   

We don’t have to play against Coco Crisp, John Jaso or Brandon Moss until the end of April.

On the downside… They’re 2-7.

They look like they did last year, where April arguably cost them a wildcard spot.

The bullpen is freaking us all out, again.

Weaver seems to think baseball is a contact sport.

And, I hate to bring this up, but has anyone noticed that over in Detroit, Torii Hunter is playing every day, and hitting .405?

Do I have hope? Yes. My cat, Satchmo, has just discovered that mid-afternoon (which is when home games occur here in New Zealand) is the best time to sleep on me. And when he does, we rally. When he wakes up, we drop away.

Now, I know that's completely unscientific, but I don't see how much further "out there" my theory is than continuing to play bunt and run when it's clearly what the opposition is looking for, or moving Trout to two for anything other than lack of imagination. (See my previous Chris Iannetta post.) 

All I’m saying is; watch your back, Monkey. 

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The April 12th, 2013 edition of daily news for the Los Angeles Angels including Angels hold team meeting, shake up lineup, X-rays negative on Aybar and much more...

The Story: The Angels held a closed door meeting after Wednesday night's loss.

The Monkey Says: Damn, I had May 10th n the first team meeting pool. Some are viewing this as a sign of trouble, but frankly, we've seen this so often during Scioscia's tenure that I feel like it is basically standard operating procedure now. Up next in his playbook is someone getting "some mental days off."

The Story: Mike Trout moved into the two-hole in the batting order last night.

The Monkey Says: I can't even begin to tell you how inconsequential this move is in the grand scheme of things. Yet, it prompted multiple regional and national columnists to declare it as a sign of panic.

Pitching, pitching, pitching. You already know the story, and nine games into the season, it’s getting pretty old. The first five innings: great baseball, great pitching. Last four: ahhhh.  Vargas couldn’t finish the sixth, and Jepsen almost couldn’t either.  Sean Burnett and Jerome Williams also gave up runs in their innings.  Bullpen woes continue.  Now, it's time to play “Second-Guessing Scioscia.”  Jepsen gave up 4 runs to the A’s in the first game of this series.  Why is his next appearance a high pressure situation against the SAME TEAM??

Don’t worry, there is no way I’m letting the offense off the hook.  I know it’s the ninth game of the season, but when you’re 2-6, there has to be some sense of urgency to get things going.  Other than Hambone getting things back on track, this offense was absolutely silent.  The big catorce’s first lineup juggle of the season was a fail. Callaspo batted lead-off, going hitless with the rest of the top three.  Hambone had 2 of the Halos 5 hits.

http://losangeles.angels.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?c_id=ana&gid=2013_04_11_oakmlb_anamlb_1&mode=box

Since 2000, Mike Scioscia has been the manager of the Angels. He has compiled a record of 1156-928, good for a 55.4% win rate (an average record of 89-73). In his 14 seasons, the Angels have only had 3 seasons where they finished sub .500. Only one of which has come since 2003.

Under Scioscia's tutelage, Angel fans have been spoiled. Angel fans have become adjusted to the Angels playing October playoff baseball, being one of the elite teams in the American League, and expect a level of excellence most teams can only dream of achieving. Just ask the Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals. They have had a combined two, yes two, winning seasons during Scioscia's tenure. However, there is now doubt about Sciosia's ability as a manager because the Angels have missed the playoffs for three straight seasons.

Have the last three seasons really been Scioscia's fault? The 2010 Angels never really had a chance. They attempted to replace the departure of the face of the franchise, Vladimir Guerrero, with Hideki Matsui. Outside of a great September he was an absolute bust that doomed the Angels with his inability to hit with runners on base. The 2011 season was the season of the infamous Vernon Wells trade. Who can forget that the Angels shipped out two middle of the order bats in Juan Rivera and Mike Napoli to have Wells be the new 4th hitter? Wells is one of the classiest athletes both on and off the field, but it was borderline insanity to expect him to be a competent 4th hitter. It is possible that these two years can be chalked up to terrible executive decisions, as evidenced by Tony Reagins "resigning".

The 2012 season falls squarely Scioscia's shoulders. Owner Arte Moreno and new General Manager Jerry DiPoto refused to accept another mediocre season. Their response? Giving the Angels roster an infusion of talent by signing Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson, Latroy Hawkins, and Jason Isringhausen. Dipoto attempted to address the bullpen, line-up, and pitching staff all in one offseason. Despite the influx of talent, the Angels only managed 3rd place in the AL West as they played themselves to an 89-63 record. Although the Angels, especially Albert Pujols, got off to an awful start, even a Scioscia apologist cannot overlook Scioscia's ineffective management of the roster. He consistently relied too heavily on ancient veterans Isringhausen, Hawkins, and Scott Downs. This resulted in the Angel's bullpen blowing lead after lead after lead after lead after lead, well you get my point. As a result, Angel fans were left with a disappointing taste in their mouths as the World-Series bound Angels missed the playoffs for the third straight year.