The Angels are now officially 1.5 games up on the Texas Rangers and 3 games up on the Mariners, and it's likely that lead will increase before the All-star break. The Angels (who are 12-3 over their last 15 games) face the Texas Rangers (who have gone 6-9 over their last 15) 6 times between now and the All-Star game, The Angels could, and should, break this division lead wide open.
Don't expect the Angels play to change.
I've said it from the since the start of the season, the Angels only problem is with injuries. They're now getting much healthier with the exception of 2-3 players, and they are on a roll.
One of the brighter spots in terms of health is John Lackey, who in his last 3 games looks to be returning to '07 form. In those 3 games he has an ERA of 3.27, 24 K's, 7 walks, all in 22 innings. He's just now finding his velocity and command with his fastball and his breaking ball is looking filthy.
Vlad is showing signs he's ready to break free. He recently broke a HR dry spell, and now gets to go up against the Rangers who are a team he's absolutely slaughtered in his career. Remember, he still is not healthy enough to play in the field, which is something overlooked when talking about his numbers. He's been squaring the ball up nicely the past few week, when he starts getting under it more there isn't a doubt in my mind those HR numbers will take a sharp increase.
It's funny because the Angels are doing this without Howie Kendrick, Jose Arredondo, Ervin Santana, or Dustin Mosely (yeah, forget about him?) Those 4 guys are solid contributors to this team. Howie will be back shortly after he works things out with his swing, and he will. Jose Arredondo is day to day and when he gets back that will give a boost to a bull-pen that has settled down. Ervin Santana can help get Palmer out of the rotation (Palmer=Trade bait?). If they get Mosely back expect him to move to the pen, because O'Sullivan has shown he belongs. Just like Mike Sciscia has said many times, getting those guys back is just like going out and trading for players to fill needs.
The Rangers do have 1 significant injury, which is to Josh Hamilton. However they have actually gotten better production from the duo replacing him Andruw Jones and Marlon Byrd, and I highly doubt getting more production hurt them. Even in the field, Andruw Jones has 10 gold gloves.
I stayed adamant with Ranger fans I've come across who I thought were a little cocky, I just told them to come talk to me around the All-Star break, and what do you know? The Angels are back in first place, who would've thought?
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How quickly streaks come and go, I would not be to sure they stay in 1st. Anyone could say "my team will be in first" with the chance of it happening.
Next three games "could" put the Rangers back in first. With the remainder of the Rangers Schedule (till All Star break) against Seattle (0-5 against Texas) Angels (0-3 against Texas) and Tampa Bay (Who they have yet to play this season) that they are a combined 8-0 against. LA? Play teams they are 3-2 against. I'd say the Rangers look like they would be sitting high.
Time will tell.
I'm not a Ranger fan, just a pessimist.
Steveo16220 says:…
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Of course the Angels got in first. No surprise there. We will probably keep that lead the rest of the season. Bobby also slammed 2 home runs last night. Finally, some production out of him in the power department
tfresh0024
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Texas Rangers suck ****. Halos all the way!!!!!!!!
Mista Styles
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Hahaha, Angel's lost two of 3 to the Rangers...Now they face a pretty hot NY team, while Texas is off to Seattle...a team in which they are 5-0 against.
Steveo16220 says:…
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Are you serious? Be quiet about injuries to your team please, it's not a unique thing in baseball. So far this year 3 of our starting pitchers have spent time on the DL, and two of them have been on it for a while now and probably won't be back until August at the earliest. We've had to call up young guys and rely on them just like the Angels with Tommy Hunter, Derek Holland and Doug Mathis.
Josh Hamilton has missed significant time this year on the DL, and when he's played he hasn't been last year's Josh Hamilton.
Except for the tragedy that happened to the Angels, our injuries have been reasonably similar except that we just got our slugger back and you just sent yours to the DL. Teams don't feel sorry for eachother because of injuries, and neither do I. So don't go looking for sympathy. The Rangers are better than you figured, and the Angels aren't as good as they've been in years past.
pmclem02
Fort Worth , TX
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