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Seattle Mariners (43-47) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (49-42)

Pitching Probables: WAS – Felix Hernandez (8-7, 3.22 ERA)  LAA – Dan Haren (9-5, 2.65 ERA)

Game Info: 12:35 PM PT; TV - KCOP, MLB Network; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

Damn you, All Star break!  Just when the Angels are on their biggest and best roll of the season, you have to stick your menacing midsummer nose into their business and make them sit around for a few days so that they can cool off.

With the rotation continuing to grow stronger and stronger and the offense actually experiencing a rare power surge, I can't really think of a worse time for the Angels to take four days off.  We've already seen how streaky this team can be this season and having the scheduling gods mess with their momentum like this just seems unfair.  Let us not forget that this time last month, the Halos looked so terrible that even casual fans were wondering allowed about which players the Angels should sell off at the trade deadline to kickstart a rebuilding process.  Now they have completely flipped the script and rattled off eight series wins in a row (granted, it has been against a cushy schedule, but wins are still wins).

Keeping that roll, well, rolling won't be easy, but winning this finale to complete the sweep and have a memory of such fresh in their minds as they spend the next four days golfing/resting/vacationing certainly won't hurt.

On the bright side, the Rangers are faced with the exact same problem, so at least they'll both be starting from square one after the break is all said and done.

The Boys in red are officially on fire. Another big night with the long ball and suddenly the Angels are 7 games over .500 and still only a game out of first. Torii Hunter returned to life for one night and, along with Mark Trumbo, put on another fireworks show. What looked like a pitcher's duel to start turned into a blowout by the end. The Angels actually made this one look routine. Decent pitching, good defense and timely hitting. If you're the Angels you have to be a little disappointed the All Star Break is coming.

Angels 9 Mariners 3

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Seattle Mariners (43-46) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (48-42)

Pitching Probables: SEA – Michael Pineda(8-5, 2.58 ERA) LAA – Joel Pineiro (4-3, 3.90)

Game Info: 6:05 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM


The Angels get a look at the future ace of the Mariners given that it's a foregone conclusion that Felix Hernandez will one day end up a Yankee. Michael Pineda is a 22 year old fireballer that many feel has better stuff than King Felix. The Halos counter with Joel Pineiro who looked like he might be returning to his form from last year. This one has all the makings of a pitcher's duel decided in the late innings.   

The Angels brought out the long ball tonight and sent the crowd home happy. The eagerly antcipated debut of Mike Trout fell a bit flat offensively but he did make a great running play to take away a double in the top of the ninth and put the team in position to win. But it was another rookie who made the play of the night and kept the Angels rolling right along.

Angels 4 Mariners 3

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Seattle Mariners (43-45) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (47-42)

Pitching Probables: SEA – Blake Bleavan (1-0, 1.29 ERA) LAA – Ervin Santana (4-8, 3.59 ERA)

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

Not much to talk about for tonight's game against the Mariners. Nope, nothing newsworthy at all today...

MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!! MIKE TROUT!!!!!


That's right, in case you have been living in a cave you know that the Angels called up Mike Trout to take over centerfield for the injured Peter Bourjos (this century's Wally Pipp if everything goes according to plan). Trout gets to bat ninth and patrol the Big A outfield as the Angels try to stay in the AL West hunt.

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Seattle Mariners (43-44) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim   (46-42)

Pitching Probables: SEA – Doug Fister (3-9, 3.02 ERA) LAA – Jered Weaver (10-4, 1.92 ERA) 

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

This team's going to have to find a way to bounce back after yesterdays bitter loss, all thanks to the blowpen. The best way to do so? Smash the opposing starting pitcher right out of the game. I'm not saying the Angels are going to knock Fister out of the game early, which they already proved they can't do, I'm just thinking it would be good for this offense. Maybe they'll learn how to keep applying pressure after yesterdays rather pathetic offensive showing.

The debate rages on as to whether or not the Angels actually can take on salary at the trade deadline, and if so, how much.  Early reports stated that they couldn't add a dollar, but Tony Reagins is now claiming they have no budgetary constraints.  Me?  I tend to believe the truth always lies somewhere in the middle.

Arte Moreno is never going to be so cheap as to close his wallet for everything, but I tend to think that he is only going to be willing to add another million or two to the payroll this year.  Maybe he'll make an exception if a superstar falls in their lap, but I'm not going to hold my breath for that.  Instead, let's take a look at some of the bargain-priced players that the Angels could set their sights on come the trade deadline.