Kazmir in Possession of Scandalous Moreno Photos

At this point, that's the only logical explanation as to why Kaz is still on the team, let alone being allowed to start games. After his 10 Run outing yesterday, many thought an announcement should be coming down the pipeline, and it would be the Angels either letting Kazmir go, or simply moving him to the pen. Granted, the Angels are fairly thin at Starting Rotation guys right now. Those that are in the minors are either not Major League material, or not really ready to start in the big leagues. Does that mean we are stuck with Kazmir? Not necessarily.

I've been making the case for Matt Palmer to take over all day on Twitter to mixed results. Some are thrilled with the idea, especially if its just a temporary solution while the team seeks another option (either via trade or free agency). I for one wouldn't mind seeing Matt Palmer toeing the slab every 5 or 6 days, especially against other 5th starters in the American League. Palmer, in 167 Innings Pitcher for his career, has a 4.40 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP and a record of 12-6. Not miserable numbers, unlike what you'd be getting from Mr. Kazmir.

I'm all for giving guys second chances, like Brandon Wood, but what I've seen from Kaz for the last 20 months is pretty awful. He wasn't bad in 2009 in a few starts at the end of the season, but he wasn't the difference maker we thought he would be. Then in 2010 he has a historically bad season, and this spring he looks like someone who should ever see a Major League field again (expect maybe in a Pirates uniform).

I hope the Angels can put together good scoring tears during Kazmir's starts, because thats the only way we are going to be able to win those games. That, and some dumb luck.

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Former Angel and Legendary Humanitarian (I may have made that up) Kevin Frandsen was released by the Padres today. I think I speak for most Angels fans when I say I hope to see him spring up somewhere else in the league really soon (except maybe in a Pirates uniform).

I Wish We Could Play Seattle All Year Long: Part II

"What A Game" indeed.

Pineiro looks like a Cy Young Canidate (obvious hyperbole, he wont be, he just is pitching like one), Aybar is finally playing like a good lead-off man, and it looks like the 6-9 hitters will finally start to turn it around.

Granted, I've always believed in Kevin Frandsen, but Jeff Mathis finally turning it around, and Paul McElroy getting twice the amount of hits he had all season, those surprised me.

Sadly, Texas also won yesterday, beating Boston 7-2. It was all the fault of Tim Wakefield, who for some reason still thinks he can actually get outs by throwing that damn knuckleball. Its cute and almost endearing. Almost.

So while old man river was throwing batting practice to the division leaders, I get to yell at my computer, wondering why Boston continues to trot that fool out. I understand they are riddled with injuries right now, but there has got to be someone in their farm system that could pitch better than this.

Tonight, it probably wont get much better. Boston is sending someone I've never heard of to the mound, while the Angels get to face the only decent pitcher left in the M's rotation. While we blasted King Felix in his last start against the Angels, he is traditionally a better second half pitcher.

So, we still sit 4.5 games out, and with trips to New York and Texas next week, we really need Boston to turn things around for the rest of the weekend.

Thats more like it!

Saunders pitched the Angels first complete game shutout of the year. Morales and Matsui had key hits in four run inning, and there were almost zero mistakes made on the field, by either team.

I really cant say much about this game other than that. It was the best Saunders has looked all season, by far. It was the best Matsui and Morales have looked this month.

Scioscia finally tinkered with the lineup the right way. Having Kendrick hit in the two hole is bloody brilliant. Matsui and Morales have a little stress lifted from them, and our best RBI guy with runners in scoring position (other than the injured Izturis) is hitting clean-up.

What I'm most happy about, is that we finally looked like a playoff team again.

A few thoughts:
- Hope you didnt go to the kitchen to get a drink in the middle innings, because by the time you came back, the game would have been over.
- Really hope they give Frandsen another shot at third, even though Wood didnt look completely miserable last night at the plate, he still wasnt good. Made some nice plays in the field though.
- Napoli called a good game, but I'm more ready now than ever for Mathis to come back. Having two rally killers back-to-back in the lineup is going to kill us down the stretch.


Around the League:
- Roy Oswalt told the Houston Astros that if it would help them rebuild for the future, he would waive his no-trade clause. I can't be the only fan in America who hopes that he could come to their team, I just dont think we have the flashy prospects to get a deal done anymore. I'm thinking the Dodgers, Rangers and Red Sox probably have the players (and the need for another solid starting pitcher) to get a deal done.

Also, a special thanks goes out to my friend, Alex, for the new site header. Looks good, man.

Feels Good, Man.

It was not pretty. But Juan Rivera's sacrifice fly to win the game in the 11th inning might be the sweetest victory the Angels have had all year. Walk-off wins are always nice, but against the best team in baseball, and with the opportunity to gain a half-game on the two teams ahead of them in the division, this one felt good.

But, it should have never gotten to that point. Aybar even made getting lucky look difficult in the first inning, eventually scoring the first run of the game. Torii added a home run in the 3rd, and Napoli hit a no-doubter for two in the 4th. Pineiro was dominant all game, and left the game leading 4-0.

Rodney gave up a run, but otherwise looked solid. One run in a four run game isnt going to ruin anything. Then Brian Fuentes, with his newly added porno 'stache, looked to close the door on the game. After giving up a solo shot to the good Aybar (Willy), letting a couple guys get on, he gave up a two-out double to Evan Longoria, who drove in the tying run.

There were some fine defensive plays in the extra frames. Bulger came in and had a great showing. Trevor Bell struck out Longoria, and that ended up earning him the W.

Morales got a great opposite field single, Willits did his job and bunted him over, and with Rivera at the plate, a wild pitch (although it should have been a passed ball, I digress) got Morales to third, and a deep fly ball drove home Morales.

Great win for the Angels, and a great game to watch, even though it went almost 4 1/2 hours. Tonight, I'm hoping for an even better, and hopefully shorter, game. Its a match-up of Kazmir, who may or may not be facing the Rays for the first time since being traded last year, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm gonna say he is, because its a better story, and Jeff Niemann, someone who I've never seen pitch before, but is 2-0 with a nice ERA. Plus, its bucket cap night... aw yeah.

A few thoughts:
- Personally, I LOVE Fuentes' new Porno Stache. Its currently his only redeeming quality.
- Good to see Napoli FINALLY turning his season around. Thankfully its not too late.
- I'm still wondering why Brandon Wood is still starting. Frandsen has been nothing but solid.
- I'm also happy to see Trevor Bell back in the bigs. He had a rough go of it last year, but he is going to be a fantastic young pitcher.
- I'm not promising anything, but I would not be surprised if we are back over .500 by the end of this homestand.

Angels Record: 15-19
Outlook: Incredibly positive

Oh, No, There Goes Tokyo, Go Go Godzilla!

Not really Tokyo, but Seattle is close enough, right?

It was actually an incredibly well played game on both sides. Joe Saunders wasnt as bad as I thought he would be (even Jeff Weaver won some games, lets not get too excited). Kevin Frandsen had a perfectly fine day, which was his first as an Angel.

Everyone out of the bullpen, although not fantastic, was good. Fuentes wasnt spectacular, but he was the best he has been all season. Morales hit a shot out to right field, Hunter broke out of his little slump and looked better all game.

Ichiro and Mike Sweeney tied it up for the M's, but the Bullpen held them at bay for the rest of the game. Then Godzilla got just his second RBI since this blog started (and the first in the month of May) in the top of the 10th. Its good to see him (hopefully) break out of his slump, and a visit to Seattle seems to be just what this team needed to get back in the swing of things.

A few thoughts:
- Tomorrow is Mother's Day, you know what that means? PINK BATS! Hell yeah.
- I don't think I'd be too sad if Frandsen replaced Wood at third for the foreseeable future.
- I don't think I'd be too sad if we just didn't field a Shortstop till Izturis returns from his injury.
- With Rivera getting his stroke back yesterday, and Hunter, Morales and Godzilla doing it today, could we finally be turning this season around?

Oh, and the title is a reference to a Blue Oyster Cult song called "Godzilla". Listen to it, its good.

Angels Record: 14-18
Outlook: Good, but I'm still wondering if this is just a bad team playing the worst team.