Angels Interested In George Sherrill?

The Los Angeles Angels have to be loving what's going on up in Oakland. For the first half of the season, the upstart Athletics had the Angels looking over their shoulders a bit more than they would have liked, but with the recent trades that have sent Rich Harden and Joe Blanton to the National League, the Angels have just about clinched the AL West.

They've got an eight game lead on the A's now, and a 9.5 game lead on the Rangers, and at this point it doesn't look like either of those two teams is going to pose a real threat. So the Angels GM Tony Reagins is at that point where he knows he doesn't have to make any moves, as he told ESPN's Buster Olney yesterday...

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K-Rod Ready to Change Name to $ave-Rod

Back in February, Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez let it be known that the 2008 season would more than likely be his last spent donning an Angels uniform. Neither he or the Angels could work out a long-term deal over the winter, and K-Rod went into the season with every expectation of testing the free agent market after the season.

Well, with every day that passes and every save Rodriguez racks up (38 at the break!), there's a little cha-ching that goes off inside his head. Still, he wouldn't have the chance to get so many saves if he didn't play for a good team, so maybe he's reconsidering leaving the Angels after this season and will take less money to stay there...

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On Deck: Away With You, Interleague Play!

I don't know about most of you, but I know that I've grown tired of interleague play in baseball. When MLB implemented it, I loved it and I supported the move as a way to try and bring fans back to the game after the player's strike in 1994.

It's kind of like when you're in a new relationship with a girl and everytime you're hanging up the phone after talking to her you get into that "No I love you more!" debate. It's kind of cute and charming at first, but frankly, after a few months of it you're screaming at her "OKAY I GET IT! YOU LOVE ME MORE! SHUT THE [expletive] UP ABOUT IT ALREADY!"

I've reached that point with interleague play, and I'm ready to get back to some real baseball...

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Mickey Hatcher Would Like the Angels to Start Hitting Before He Loses His Job

The Los Angeles Angels are in first place in the AL West, and are about to start a very important (okay, as important as a series can be halfway through the season) series with the Oakland Athletics in Anaheim tonight. They're only 4.5 games ahead of Oakland at the moment, and they're coming off a series against the Dodgers in which they lost two of three and couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag.

For goodness sake, Jered Weaver threw a damn no-hitter on Saturday and the Angels still lost. In the three games against the Dodgers, the Angels hit .161 and managed to score one run. That's why hitting coach Mickey Hatcher is going to be a little more assertive in today's hitters meeting....

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The Angels Like What They Have

One of the biggest criticisms by Angels fans of Bill Stoneman when he was general manager of the Angels was that he never made any big mid-season trades to help the ballclub. Whether these criticisms were fair or not, I don't know. Sure, he never made any huge deals, but it never kept the Angels from being the cream of the crop out west in the American League.

Well, Stoneman left last season and now in his first season as a replacement, new Angels GM Tony Reagins isn't planning on doing anything any differently. Don't look for the Angels to make a big move before this year's deadline either....

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On Deck: Chicago's Civil War

You know how when you're watching a game on television, whether it's football, baseball, or anything, and the game is being played by two rival teams that the announcer tells you to "throw their records out the window!" You know what I'm talking about? I hate that. That's one of the stupidest things that announcers can say.

Why should we throw the records out the window? I mean, if one of the teams is 12-1 and the other is 2-10 I don't care how long they've been rivals, I'm pretty sure that 12-1 team is going to steamroll the other one. So no, I will not throw that record out the window.

Now this afternoon, for the first time ever, the White Sox and Cubs will be meeting head-to-head in the regular season while both are currently holding down first place in their division. Still, the two teams are moving in opposite directions right now. The White Sox just scored 37 runs in a three-game sweep of the Pirates, and the Cubs are limping home after losing three in a row for the first time this season down in Tampa.

Of course, when these two teams meet, it doesn't matter who is playing well and who isn't. In fact, you can throw their records right out the window (son of a...)!

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On Deck: The Jerry Manuel Era Begins

Now that Willie Randolph has finally be freed by the evil, classless, New York Mets, his replacement Jerry Manuel gets his first shot at pissing off Mets fans everywhere tonight. Will Jerry make it through 7AM Wednesday morning, or will he be dispatched in the middle of the night?

I mean, the Mets actually won last night, and they still fired Willie in the middle of the night. What would have happened had they lost? Would he have been publicly flogged in Times Square?

Besides, is Jerry Manuel really going to be any better? I had the "honor" of watching him manage my White Sox for five years, and although he won the manager of the year award in 2000, the rest of his tenure was basically known for being extremely boring. Though, maybe that's what Omar Minaya wants.

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On Deck: Here Come the Tigers

It's been a very odd year for the Detroit Tigers. After getting off to a horrible start this season, there have been times when they seem to be getting their act together and then suddenly they're horrible again in the blink of an eye. As Joe Morgan would probably say if you asked him about it, "I'm friends with Gary Sheffield." "They're consistently inconsistent."

Still, after sweeping the division-leading Chicago White Sox last week, I asked the question if this was the start of the Tigers turnaround. Was it a sign of things to come?

Well, the Tigers didn't stop there as they followed that sweep with another one against the Dodgers this weekend, and they've now won six in a row to creep back into the race.

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Mike Scioscia Has Fat Fingers

You know, every year before the baseball season starts I make my predictions for the season just like every other baseball fan. While I try to mix things up and try to be the "genius" who picked that annual dark horse that surprises everybody, when it comes to the AL West I'm pretty basic. I just pick the Angels.

I've picked the Angels to win the division every season for the last four years, and have even had them going to the World Series twice. The reason for this? Well, besides the fact that they have a pretty good team year in and year out, they also have the man whom I feel is the best manager in the game sitting in their dugout: Mike Scioscia....

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On Deck: Aces Wild

Looking around today's schedule there just isn't a better matchup than the one in Los Angeles this afternoon, whether you're looking at it based on the strength of the two teams playing, or at the starting pitching matchups. The Angels and Rays will finish their three-game set in Anaheim with the rubber game this afternoon.

Neither of today's starters were available to their team to start the season, but ever since John Lackey and Scott Kazmir have rejoined their teams rotations they've both been the dominant aces their squads need to contend.

Today they square off against each other for the first time.

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On Deck: The Rays Are Sick With Rage

It's pretty much a consensus that Tropicana Field is far and away the worst "baseball stadium" in the big leagues, but don't tell that to the Rays. They love the place, as they've gone 24-10 there this season. The road, on the other hand, has not been so kind.

Outside of the Trop, the Rays are only 13-16 and they find themselves in the midst of a nine-game road trip that has not been kind. After being swept by the Red Sox to start it off, they won two in Texas before losing yesterday. To make matters worse, the frustration is starting to show. The Rays are just an angry team.

After getting into a brawl with the Red Sox on Thursday, they were fighting themselves yesterday as Matt Garza and Dioner Navarro had a disagreement about, hell, I don't know, the best Doritos flavor?


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On Deck: OMG!! JAY BRUCE!!

There are certain events in human history which leave indelible marks on our lives and our memories. While we can't always remember where we left our car keys, or that cute girl from the bar on Friday's phone number, there are moments we just can't forget no matter how hard we try.

You remember exactly what you were doing and where you were doing it the moment you found out that John F. Kennedy had been shot. You remember everything about the morning that the World Trade Center came down.

Tonight we fast forward in time a full 30 years when you'll be telling your children or grandchildren the story of where you were the very first time Jay Bruce stepped into a Major League batter's box...

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Chone Figgins Liked the Disabled List, May Even Go Back There

When the Angels placed Chone Figgins on the disabled list with a strained right hamstring earlier this month, they did so about a full month after Figgins originally hurt it. Instead, Figgins tried to play through it, but even though he was able to contribute a little it became clear it wasn't going to get any better without rest.

So Chone did his time on the shelf, and patiently waited for the hamstring to heal before the Angels activated him last week. Then, in his first game back Figgins re-aggravated the injury...

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Chone Figgins to the White Sox?

The Chicago White Sox are currently riding a six-game win streak that's helped put them back in first place in the AL Central, but that doesn't mean everything is fine and dandy in the Windy City. Sure, the Sox have played a lot better the last few weeks and are starting to resemble a team that can win the division, but they still have holes.

The most glaring one is at second base where Juan Uribe and Alexei Ramirez have been splitting time this season. Combined, they're hitting .201 with four home runs and 20 RBI...

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The Angels Lose Another Infielder

Man, there's something about being the top team in the AL West that makes a team have to use it's disabled list a lot more often. I already went over the Athletics' problems with keeping people healthy yesterday, but the injury bug isn't limited to Oakland's city limits.

Nope, it's made it's way down to southern California as well. Invading Anaheim, Orange County, Long Beach, Compton, Los Angeles, and whatever else the Angels are putting in their name these days...

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Morning Wood

Chicago White Sox 4 Los Angeles Angels 3

While it was pretty weird to see Jon Garland pitching in a different uniform, and doing so against the White Sox, it didn't take long to get over it. It was the same Jon Garland Sox fans saw for a while, he got into some trouble early, but then settled into a groove. Garland gave up 7 hits and walked 4 during his six innings, but he worked his way out of jams.

Or the White Sox offense let him out, I guess it depends on your view. Yeah, Garland wasn't the only familiar looking aspect to last night's game. All three Angels runs came via mistakes by the White Sox defense. Carlos Quentin, Orlando Cabrera, and Joe Crede all let a pop up drop between them in the first that led to two Angels runs, and Crede's error in the seventh allowed a third run to cross the plate and tie the game.

Fortunately, A.J. Pierzynski is hitting, and he hit his second double of the night to lead off the ninth. Carlos Quentin then got him over to third with a deep fly ball, and after Jermaine Dye popped up for the second out, the White Sox actually got a clutch hit. Jim Thome picked up his first hit of the four-game series, and first career hit off of Francisco Rodriguez to bring A.J. home. Bobby Jenks would take care of it from there, pitching a perfect ninth to get the save.

Chicago Cubs 4 San Diego Padres 0

Okay, so if Ryan Dempster is going to keep pitching like he did yesterday afternoon, I may have to start taking him seriously (and it's hard to take a man who thinks he's a ninja seriously). He had a pretty good effort out there on Thursday, you know, for a Canadian.

Dempster struck out a career-high 12 in 8.1 shutout innings, and feeling as though that wasn't enough, he also singled home the first run in a four-run fifth inning that provided all the scoring. Oddly enough, Ryan had his best performance against the man he called his mentor, Greg Maddux.

"He's probably the greatest teammate I ever had," said Dempster, teammates with Maddux during 2½ seasons in Chicago. "Just his ability to truly go out to the mound and take it one pitch at a time, no matter what the situation, what inning it is, how many people are on base, what the score is. Just keep trying to execute pitches. That's what I've been trying to do. He really took that to its fullest."

Speaking of Maddux, if this turns out to be his last start in Wrigley Field, it's safe to say he's not going to remember it very long. Greg lasted only 4.1 innings, allowing all four runs and eleven hits.

AL

• Indians 4 A's 2
• Jays 3 Twins 2
• Royals 8 Tigers 4
• Rays 5 Yankees 2

NL

• Dodgers 7 Brewers 2
• Nats 1 Mets 0
• Pirates 11 Cardinals 5
• Astros 8 Giants 7
• Phillies 5 Braves 0
• DBacks 8 Rockies 5

Morning Wood

Chicago White Sox 6 Los Angeles Angels 1

You may remember a few weeks ago when Ozzie Guillen had that little rant in Toronto towards the fans and media of Chicago. In between the f-bombs, Ozzie criticized fans for telling him that he should jumble the lineup. We were basically assholes for this.

Well, Ozzie finally made some big changes to the lineup last night, and whaddya know! It worked! A.J. Pierzynski moved up to second in the lineup, Carlos Quentin hit third, and Jim Thome and Paul Konerko were both moved down to fifth and sixth respectively.

The lineup change worked perfectly in the 8th inning, as Juan Uribe led the inning off with a single, Orlando Cabrera singled behind him, A.J. was intentionally walked to load the bases, and Carlos Quentin emptied them with a grand slam. See what happens when you put all the guys that actually are hitting next to each other in a lineup?

"You hit where you hit and you move on. I mean, you can't really try to overthink it," Pierzynski said. "The two hole is probably the highest I've ever hit. It's something different. Ozzie shook it up and it worked, so I'm sure we'll probably have the same one tomorrow."

As for Quentin, he's awesome. He now leads the American League in home runs (10) and RBI (34). Everytime he does something good, I feel bad for the way I spent all offseason ripping on him.

Chicago Cubs 8 San Diego Padres 5

Both Ted Lilly and Alfonso Soriano are heating up for the Cubs. Soriano homered again last night, leading off the game for the second straight night with a homer, and Ted Lilly struck out eleven Padres to pick up his third straight win.

It's the second start in a row for Lilly in which he got his strikeout total into double digits, the first time the soft-tossing lefty has done that in his career.

"I don't think I just stand out there and try to throw fastballs by guys," said Lilly. "I have to mix my pitches and change speeds and locate the ball and things like that. And at times, when I got my curveball going, I'm going to get some strikeouts on it. But I'm not going to say I'm a power pitcher."

The Cubs took it to Jake Peavy, knocking him out after only four innings, and putting things away in the fifth inning on a two-run blast from Geovany Soto.

AL

• Mariners 4 Rangers 3
• Orioles 6 Red Sox 3
• Indians 2 A's 1
• Yankees 2 Rays 1
• Royals 2 Tigers 0
• Jays 6 Twins 5

NL

• Braves 8 Phillies 6
• Reds 7 Marlins 6
• Nats 5 Mets 3
• Dodgers 6 Brewers 4
• Cardinals 5 Pirates 1
• DBacks 4 Rockies 3
• Astros 6 Giants 3

On Deck: Lackey's Backey

While most of the world knows John Lackey as our very own Pat Lackey's older, harder-throwing, better-smelling, and much smarter estranged brother, he's better known in southern California as the ace of the Angels pitching staff (Pat , on the other hand, was turned down by the Angels when he applied to become the new rally monkey).

Lackey won 19 games for the Angels last season, and helped lead them to another AL West division crown, but he hasn't been available to the team at all this season. Of course, his absence hasn't done much to keep the Angels out of first place...

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Morning Wood

Los Angeles Angels 2 Chicago White Sox 0

This 10-game west coast trip started out so well, but after winning the first two games of the trip, the Sox have now lost three in a row. Last night was basically a repeat performance of any of the six games from the last road trip, as the Sox were only able to manage one hit against Jered Weaver, and only three overall.

The same Jered Weaver who had a 7.02 ERA in his last six starts. I'm sure the Sox are happy to have helped him break out of it. First the pink beards, and now this, these guys are so charitable!

"I just went out there and tried to pitch like the old Jered, and it came out all right," Weaver said. "It was just adjustments with mechanics in the bullpen between starts. Me and [pitching coach Mike] Butcher were able to clean some stuff up."

The Angels couldn't get to John Danks, either, but they were able to get to the Sox bullpen as both Octavio Dotel and Matt Thornton gave up a run in the 7th inning.

San Diego Padres 4 Chicago Cubs 3

Whereas the White Sox were kind enough to help Jered Weaver get back on track, he'd only been struggling for his last six starts. The Cubs, who seem to be doing everything better than the Sox these days, helped a guy win his first game in three years on Tuesday.

Shawn Estes-whom I thought was dead-picked up the 100th victory of his career, and his first since 2005 by holding the Cubs to three runs in 5.1 innings. Khalil Greene provided the big blow for San Diego, hitting a three-run homer to cap a four-run fourth inning out in the rain.

"I didn't think I was going to make it back last year. I was going through a lot of pain in my elbow again," said Estes. "I came into spring training having to deal with the mental side of pitching again and having to make a team and having to swallow my pride a little bit and going back to Triple-A to get things right."

If there was any good news for the Cubs, it was that Alfonso Soriano stayed hot, as he led the game off with another home run.

AL

• Orioles 5 Red Sox 4
• Indians 4 A's 0
• Rays 2 Yankees 1
• Rangers 5 Mariners 2
• Royals 3 Tigers 2
• Jays 5 Twins 3

NL

• Phillies 5 Braves 4
• Reds 5 Marlins 3
• Mets 6 Nats 3
• Brewers 5 Dodgers 3
• Pirates 8 Cardinals 4
• DBacks 8 Rockies 4
• Giants 4 Astros 2

Morning Wood

Chicago Cubs 12 San Diego Padres 3

Man, the Cubs better sign Jim Edmonds as soon as possible, because they really need that left-handed bat (currently hitting .178/.265/.233) in the lineup on Monday night. I mean, that offense is strugggggling.

Alfonso Soriano homered again, all of a sudden nobody's complaining about him, and the Cubs blew up for 11 runs in the fifth and sixth innings to give Carlos Zambrano more support than he would need.

"I think we have a very good lineup, very balanced," said Alfonso Soriano, who homered in the fifth and is 7-for-14 during the Cubs' four-game winning streak. "Be more aggressive and, at the same time, selective at home plate. That's what I try to do because I know when I swing at a strike, I know that I hit the ball very hard."

That's four in a row, and with the Cardinals loss, the Cubs are back in first place. Get your World Series tickets now.

Los Angeles Angels 10 Chicago White Sox 7

Mark Buehrle continued to struggle, giving up six runs in 5.2 innings and dropping to 1-5 this season. To be fair, he didn't get much help from his defense, particularly, Juan Uribe.

Uribe blew what would have been two double plays when he bobbled the ball both times, thereby undoing any good karma he had for driving two runs in during the 2nd inning. Maybe the team will float a rumor around tomorrow that Uribe's about to get released, it seemed to work pretty well the first time.

Overall it was just an odd game, as any ball that was hit hard seemed to result in an out or double play. Save for Vladimir Guerrero's homer and A.J.'s two doubles. There were 28 hits in this game, and I swear 25 of them were on broken bats or infield singles. Yet the two teams still managed to score 17 runs. Go figure.

AL

• Indians 3 Jays 0 GM1
• Jays 3 Indians 0 GM2
• Twins 7 Red Sox 3
• Rays 7 Yankees 1
• Rangers 13 Mariners 12

NL

• Pirates 5 Braves 0 GM1
• Braves 8 Pirates 1 GM2
• Reds 8 Marlins 7
• Nats 10 Mets 4
• Brewers 8 Cardinals 3
• Astros 7 Giants 3