Forgive me for interrupting the giant pity party/memorial service everyone in Angels nation seems to be attending currently, but I have some important news-

The sky is not falling.  The Angels' season is not over.  The franchise is not on the verge of crumbling into a pile of ashes.

I know that may seem like a ridiculous set of statements, but I guess I just can't overcome all that pesky logic and reason floating around in my head (either that or I am amazingly good at cognitive dissonance).  Yes, the last few weeks have been excruciating for Angel fans, but two bad (OK, horrendous) weeks does not a season make.  I know it may seem like a crazy notion right now, but there is still plenty of time left for the Angels to challenge for the division crown, or at least save a little face and provide some hope for the future.

Help me spread the word, won't you?

The last few weeks have been rough for the Angels and even the most ardent fan has to admit that the season now hangs in the balance.  The not quite as ardent fan might even have you believe the season is already over.  So, the question is, which side are you on?

Sounds like a great topic for Multiple Choice Monday!

Time to vote!

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Callaspo only day-to-day with his hamstring injury, Jepsen demoted in favor of Romine, Scioscia and Hunter try to rally the troops and much more...

The Story: Alberto Callaspo is day-to-day with a hamstring injury.

The Monkey Says: Well, that's good news, for now anyway.  Hamstring injuries can be tricky, but if he manages to avoid the disabled list, the Halos might have finally got a bit of a break with an injury for a change.

The Story: The Angels called up Andrew Romine and demoted Kevin Jepsen.

The Monkey Says: Romine is just being called up to provide depth with Callaspo injured since Amarista isn't eligible to be recalled yet.  As for Jepsen, it is clear that he has fallen well out of favor and one has to wonder if he will ever be back up again.

The Story: Scioscia and Hunter try and rally the veterans to lead the team out of the downward spiral.

The Monkey Says: Is Hunter even allowed to call himself out?  How does that work?  Does he just stand in front of a mirror and give himself a disappointing look?

The Story: Tim Brown details the lack of joy in the Angel clubhouse.

The Monkey Says: Great piece by a great writer.  So great, in fact, that I am depressed just from reading it.

The Story: The Angel pitching staff is focusing on not overcompensating for the lack of run support.

The Monkey Says: I don't see how they can avoid it really.  It has reached a point where the instant the Angels fall behind, we all assume the game is over, and I am pretty sure that the pitchers think that along with the fans.

The Story: Ten Angels that you can't blame for the team's ongoing struggles.

The Monkey Says: Wow, I can't believe they were able to come up with ten.

The Story: What about Russell Branyan?

The Monkey Says: The Angels probably could stand to give Branyan more at-bats, but his slow start didn't exactly endear him to Sosh.  Still, guys like Branyan are very streaky, so Scioscia would be smart to give him a start or two at least each week to keep him fresh and to see if one of those hot streaks is about to start.

The Story: Mike Scioscia sounds as if he has given up on Scott Kazmir, finally.

The Monkey Says: It is about time, the rest of us came to that conclusion during Spring Training.

The Story: Grading the Southern California general managers.

The Monkey Says: SPOILER ALERT- Reagins doesn't grade out well.  However, saying that the Hunter signing and not the Haren trade is Tony's best deal is just plain dumb.

The Story: John Sickels gives a quick rundown of the Angel draft.

The Monkey Says: Funny that Sickels says the focus is on "upside over polish" despite so many college selections which I had presumed was a strategy aimed at collecting more polished and finished products.

The Story: Mistaken identity leads to a fan spending a game with Arte Moreno.

The Monkey Says: Wow, great story and and what a great guy is Moreno?  How many owners would really hang with the fan all game long and not just give him a quick handshake and an escort to his real seat?

So much for that offensive progress, eh?

The Angels put on a clinic today in how horrible situational hitting.  Despite facing the infamous Vin Mazzaro, the Angels managed to hit into five doubleplays in the first six innings.

Good gravy.

Royals 9, Angels 0

There was certainly some bad luck involved in some of those GIDPs, but five doubleplays is still five doubleplays.  After a game like this, one can't help but point the finger at hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.  I've tried deflecting blame away from him before, but there is no avoiding it now.  This kind of ineptitude with runners on base has become a systemic problem and I don't see it is going to change in the current atmosphere.

Maybe a new voice can't do anything to change the hitters' approach, but what do the Angels have to lose at this point?

@

Kansas City Royals (28-37) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (31-35)

Pitching Probables: KC – Vin Mazzaro (0-1, 17.47 ERA)  LAA – Tyler Chatwood (3-3, 3.79 ERA)

Game Info: 12:35 PM PT; TV - Fox Sports West; Radio - KLAA 830 AM

It is amazing what one little win can do.  The losing streak is over, the Angels have lit up the Halo once again and today just feels like a brand new day.  Well, technically, every day is a brand new day, but I mean it in the metaphorical sense.

For the first time in a week, the Halos and their followers actually have a little something to feel good about.  Nobody is exactly planning a championship parade or anything, but every little bit of positive mojo counts, especially when the team is so clearly frustrated and in dire need of a morale boost.  But all those good feeling could slip away if the offense falls flat on its face again and, well, we can't exactly rule that possibility out.  But it also isn't as entirely likely as it seemed in the past.

Today, the fresh memory of seven runs and win will make everyone a little looser. Their shoulders will hang a little lower.  Their grips on the bats will be a litte less tight.  Their demeanors a little more upbeat.  It may only last a day, but it might also be the first day of the Angels' climb back into contention.

A Win!! A Win!! The Angels got all the breaks a finally got a win. The old saying is that it's better to be lucky than good and tonight that saying was very appropriate. The Royals gave LA every chance to win and the Angels finally hit enough to put one in the win column. The Royals committed two errors, threw to wild pitches leading to the eventual winning run, and had a runner thrown out at home byu about 30 feet. If that's what its going to take to get wins then so be it. I can't stop typing win. It just looks so glorious. Win, Win, Win...

Angels 7 Royals 5

               @

Kansas City Royals (28-36) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (30-35)
 
Pitching   Probables: KC -- Felipe Paulino (0-4, 3.82 ERA)  LAA – Joel Pineiro (2-3, 3.76 ERA)

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

I have chosen to look on the bright side of things. Today is a new day. The sun is shining. The birds are chirping and today is the day the Angels turn it around. There is no way that Joel Pineiro is going to let another chance to get his 100th career win go by. I am supremely confident and 100% supportive of the Angels tonight. Yes sir, you will not get once ounce of negativity out me tonight. Tonight, in the immortal words of the poet Taio Cruz, the Angels will be "Dynamite". (okay so maybe that was a bit much...)
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