Link Hangout

Mike Trout‘s dream season could have a nightmare ending, Albert Pujols ties Stan Musial and an uncanny similarity between this years Angels and last years. The only real good news from this week is that Brandon McCarthy got released from the hospital. Good for him. As far as our boys are concerned, I’ve been practicing Amazing Grace on the cello this week and I might get to put that practice to use sooner than I’d like too.

Sep 12, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Angels designated hitter Albert Pujols (5) reacts after hitting a solo home run in the ninth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Angel Stadium. The Athletics defeated the Angels 4-1. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-US PRESSWIRE

Angels close to squandering Mike Trout’s dream season and owner’s $160M investment

With 19 games left Torii Hunter isn’t panicking, Mike Trout isn’t panicking, but I’m pulling my hair out. This series against the A’s has gone about as bad as it possibly could have gone. Mike Trout has been a revelation this year (I’ve said that before, but I like saying it so I’m saying it again). No one expected him to be this good, this fast, and I (along with every fan) wants to see what he can do on the biggest stage.

Money Quote:

"Nineteen games remain. If the New York Yankees and Orioles each win 10 of their remaining 20 games, that puts the second wild-card threshold at 90 victories. To reach that, the Angels would need to go 13-6. Of their 125 stretches of 19 games this season, they’ve gone 13-6 only 23 times"

Must stay optimistic. Must stay optimistic.

Albert Pujols hitting home run 475 to tie Stan Musial would have been cooler in St. Louis

Ok, can we get over this yet? Pujols didn’t stay in St. Louis. He now plays in Anaheim. He’s getting paid a lot of money to do that. Can we move on, please?

Money Quote:

"But in greater Los Angeles, it’s almost just another home run. Who is Stan Musial to the Angels? The Angels will do something special for Pujols on No. 500, as they should. But this one wasn’t for them."

As a baseball fan, it offends me that David Brown thinks that we fans out here on the Left Coast don’t know who Stan Musial is.

New Roster, New Rules, Same Angels

You are now entering the Twilight Zone. How is this team that was supposed to be so good, be almost the exact team as last year record-wise? Oh, that’s right, April and August happened. We clicked a couple of times and hopefully we can click for the final 19 games, but I’m on high alert with the glass removed from the panic button.

Money Quote:

"That pitching has just been brutal, and that’s where separation between 2011 and 2012 kicks in. Last year’s Angels squad was league-average offensively, with the fourth-best ERA+ in the AL. This year’s club can mash, but only the likes of the Twins and Indians — both 59-84 on the year — own worse ERA+ in 2012. Their primary opponents, division rivals Oakland and Texas, rank first and second, respectively."

Only the Twins and Indians huh, not better than the Astors? Damnit.

Angels: Trumbo sits but doesn’t question it

Mark Trumbo‘s slump doesn’t need to brought up again. We all know how bad it has been. I’m glad that Trumbo realizes how bad he has been. The swing he put on the ball that Austin Jackson brought back the other day was the exact kind of swing that Trumbo needs to have. If that’s his swing going forward, he’ll be just fine. If it was just a stroke of luck, he needs to get back to the video room ASAP.

Money Quote:

"“It’s a very ‘What have you done for me lately?’ type game,” Trumbo said, “and as of the recent month, month and a half, I haven’t done too much, so … we’re trying to win a championship, and we’re trying to first and foremost make it to the playoffs. So there’s no time for feelings.”"

I’d rather it were done with Mark in the lineup, but he is right, all he’s done lately is strike out….a lot.

A’s Brandon McCarthy released from hospital

This is great news. A scary situation turned into a not so scary situation which then morphed into a life threatening situation. The best part is that McCarthy is back to being a jokester on twitter. Good for you Brandon, good for you.

Cincinnati Reds to host Los Angeles Angels in 1st interleague game on opening day

Historically, Cincinnati is where Major League Baseball’s official Opening day is held. Every year. Thanks to the new formatting (which I would be completely against if it weren’t for the fact that we get to play 18 games against the Astros next year) the Angels get to be a part of a very unique part of baseball tradition.

Money Quote:

"“It’s a little strange, but Anaheim has a lot of big-name guys,” Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo said. “It’ll be Albert Pujols coming back for the first time. It’s a nice mix for us. It’s strange, but I’d rather do that than open with Milwaukee or someone in our division we see all the time.”"

I’d rather Brandon Arroyo not be Brandon Arroyo on a regular basis, but we don’t always get what we want. At least we will get to face him in the opening series.

It’s been a bad week, so here is a kid beat boxing.