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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.

The Kendrys Morales injury saga took another dark twist yesterday when news broke that the Angels slugger was being sent off to see a foot/ankle specialist after suffering yet another setback in his rehabilitation from that devastating leg injury.  For a guy who we were originally promised would be more than ready to go to start this season, it sure seems like a lot has gone wrong and his return still seems so very far away.  It is hard not to think the worst for Kendrys right now, but until we learn more we all must find a way to NOT panic over this latest bump in the road.

I'm not going to press it.  I'm not going to press it.  I'm not going to press it.  Ahhhhhhh!  I want to press it so much!!!!!!!!!!

Daily Links for the LA Angels including Morales being sent to see a foot/ankle specialist (uh oh), Pineiro and Downs activated, Palmer demoted, Bulger put on waivers and much more...

The Story: Kendrys Morales is being sent to see a foot/ankle specialist.

The Monkey Says: The Angels are actually only calling him a foot specialist, but the guy is an ankle specialist too which is important since, you know, Morales broke his ankle.  I hate to sound like an alarmist about this, but given his slow rehab process and this bit of news, we should probably start bracing ourselves for some very bad news.

The Story: The Angels have activated Joel Pineiro and Scott Downs from the DL, demoted Matt Palmer to Triple-A and designated Jason Bulger for assignment.

The Monkey Says: All these moves were very much expected.  Palmer has been spotty in the rotation and doesn't have much upside, so it is no shocker to see him get sent down rather than Tyler Chatwood.  As for Bulger, this move was inevitable due to his struggles this season.  With his injury history and command issues, there is a pretty good chance he will clear waivers, but he may decide to try his luck in another organi.zation anyway.

The Story: Mark Trumbo is trying to find his way out of his slump.

The Monkey Says: What worries me about Trumbo is that he is falling into the same trap that Brandon Wood fell into, constantly falling behind in counts 0-2, never walking and getting punched out breaking balls.