HaloRed16

This season among the dreadful of the past is the most for me. I don't know about you but, its the shock that has worn me out with this endless, heart palpitating nightmare. Happy Birthday, Arte, though not so happy on a horrible day like today, among the many throughout the season. What else is there to say by the list I posted with today's gdt?. The only bright spot to the season is thst they've manhandled the reigning runner up Tigers for the season, but with the least bit of relief to this nightmare of no end. How do u like that, a nightmare with a Happy Birthday.

Nightmarish season, what are talking about, Terry!! The team is dilapidated, I'll give them that but, That "Vernon Wells hadn't hit a homer since mid-May" but did so yesterday against the Halos...is a nightmare That "NYY hadn't scored many runs in awhile," but have for 20 the last 2 nights against the Halos...is a nightmare That the Halos have coughed up so many leads (small or large) to lose at the end...is a nightmare That Scioscia tantalized the fans with running Joe Blanton out there to start as much as he did on the season...is a nightmare. That Hamilton K's or hits into a DP with RISP...is a nightmare That Trumbo follows great AB's with horrible AB's...is a nightmare. That this teams has found every which way to lose on the season...when will it end?!

The problem is, they find every which way to lose while the lineup gives in of turning average pitchers into Cy Young award winners. Then there's Trumbo who follows great AB's with horrible ones. And did I forget Hamilton. So far a bust who's had to ride the pine for LHP's most of the season. The bullpen has good arms. Only, they throw, don't pitch, and blow leads late in the game. Always appreciate optimism but, it's not going to reset if I push it again. Will keep watching, though.

Oakland doesn't have to maintain their same winning percentage through the end of the year. They just have to be no worse than five wins less than than Rangers and twelve wins less than us. This is a two team race and if Texas doesn't get it together soon it could be over. They need to not only catch up but take the lead before September 10th. Oakland's last 7 series: 4 vs HOU 3 @ TEX 3 @ MIN 3 vs LAA 4 vs MIN 3 @ LAA 3 @ SEA That's gotta be the softest closing schedule in the league. Yet another reset button after tonight's game. This team has got to stop finding ways to lose. The problem is they're playing like they're afraid they're going too, forcing the return to bad habits while. Trumbo, for example. Just when you think he's trying easier and looking good with making contact and hitting to the opposite field, he K's at the plate with a rally brewing. The same the same thing for Kendrick. Hits the ball all over the place, but whiffs with men on. Aybar, he's better than he gives himself yet such the tease that he hasn't batted leadoff like he should be all along. These guys will execute of manufacturing runs consistently, even without Pujols, when they stop tensing up at the plate, more relaxed and confident with men on base instead. Everything I've said here goes for the pitchers especially. TAKE THE DAMN MOUND WITH AUTHORITY, WILL YOU??!!

If it makes anyone feel better, that's how it's going to end up by season's end. Oakland's peaked for too long now, they won't sustain for that winning clip the season remainder. Texas is falling back, who knows what will happen with the Angels, and then there's Seattle who could end out on top if they keep that momentum. It's been like waiting for The Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown with the Angels, but watch Oakland lose control of this division.

Hamilton comes up big tonight. Colon has surrendered only 9 HR on the season, 8 of which from the left side of the plate. Trumbo sits, Colon thrives on right handed power hitters that don't hit him that hard the reason. Scioscia refuses to allow Colon to sit back on that mound and scaps the Halos way to victory tonight. He stacks up lefties against him, excluding Hawpe. Ianetta behind the plate, Conger to DH, Pujols at 1B. Ianetta has been good with the AB's lately. Expect some bunting, forcing Colon OFF THAT MOUND between the speed hitters. Shuck, maybe even Trout, Kendrick, and Aybar. Lineup: Schuck LF, Trout CF, Pujols 1B, Hamilton RF, Conger DH, Kendrick 2B, Callaspo 3B, Ianetta C, Aybar SS Ianetta the Xfactor. Colon ends up disrupted with a bad night altogether.

I must've mentioned Cliff Lee on another thread, I thought I posted it here: Trumbo and Richards for Lee and a C prospect Tommy Joseph. Another, I wouldn't mind nabbing that Houston battery of Bud Norris and Jason Castro, if I could: Trumbo, Richards, and ??? for Norris, Castro, and Pena (for the defensive protection at 1B and power off the bench) Another, although Phil Hughes would be a gamble, a change of venue for that power of an arm to Anaheim would be ideal that I might take that chance. Although Richards alone would probably do it, if I'm thinking trumping Trumbo with Richards they might fall too short with what they're up against right now. But here goes: Trumbo and Richards for Phil Hughes, C Austin Romine, and P prospect Jose Campos

I was sloppy with the cut-in-paste on the OP yesterday and re-edited it now.

They can put Conger at the DH and get a key piece or more for Trumbo or part of a package with Trumbo. It might also give Conger the chance to prove himself with the glove somewhere, still. They need another starting pitching with the Blanton investment souring and I've been saying all along that they need a catcher (aimed toward the Molina type) because that part has led to their demise since Benjie left. Conger and Ianetta have been killing them behind the plate and they need to position themselves better there. It's long overdue. So, trump Trumbo and perhaps Garrett Richards toward it.

Has Eppard not been protected because of Mike Trout's emergence last year? The approach with the rest of the lineup is for you-know-what, especially with lefties. Most of the fire Hatcher threaders got him fired last year. What have they say about Eppard, though?

But you wouldn't be saying that if it wasn't such an aberration between 2 of the game's best sluggers. I'm shocked, the sports world is, and it's been like drowning within an endless nightmare that combination hasn't produced for even the slightest to team run production up to this point. Such an aberration, though, is a symptom with ailment. I knew it was the case with Matt Kemp of watching him swing in the box against the Halos, and he went on the DL after the 3rd game. Pujols and Ham do themselves a world of good to take the time off to rejuvenate, and Arte is valiant if he were to insist that they do.

Hamilton's being interviewed at 7am on MLBradio tomorrow. He'll probably tell them his back has been killing him because it has. It's as if he's swinging with a back brace right now, stiff as a board, hardly any flexibility.

They might actually hold the fort well until P&H have invested the time regain, now that the pitching has strengthened with Williams moved to the bullpen and maybe Madson around the corner. That's looking like a deep area for them all of a sudden, nice intangibles and versatility forming with it. Re-call Jimenez, put Trumbo at 1B. Call up Calhoun for RF. DH Conger (who can switch). If Sciosh doesn't demand they go on the DL, then maybe Arte should address it personally with them about it. I commend theyr'e valient, but an ailing player is not obligated to grind by their salaries, but they are to protect own asset from further damage.

...If it's not the case with Hamilton, then he needs to give himself the break from taking too much batting practice by the paralysis from analysis.

I feels sorry for Arte. He invested in some heavy fireworks that have been sitting in the mortars having yet to be ignited because they're ailing. Pujols with the Plantar and Hamilton with the back flaring up on him. You can just tell both of them are without that necessary flexibility to do the damage they were bought to do. The injury bug frustrates but it's time to take them down and invest in that time for them to heal.

Throw OBP out the door. We're talking about an ex-Angels player like Rod Carew himself. GA's exercise after Carew's guidance is the bona fide qualification alone: 8480 Angels career plate appearances is quite the teaching dynamic.

Chili Davis is working in Oakland. It's all about plate approach. GA proved himself as probably the best all time Halos hitter, let alone player, with Rod Carew bringing him up. For as good as GA was in his approach to lefties and how bad they are now, it looks to me like Eppard is probably not the solution despite Trout's success last year. If the hitting coach makes no difference with the vets, then put an ex-Angel player in there to bring up the youngsters as Carew did. Chili Davis applied to the same scenario, himself, at the time. Thus, Garret Anderson would be a wise choice.

It's the recurring circumstance to last year: Cindy's jumped off the seesaw with Bobby again. But this time, it's an impotent offense with good starting pitching while haven't hit lefties for you-know-what all season. Altogether, reflecting an streaky lineup with a cruddy gameplan approach of giving into the pitcher too easily (let alone Houston Astros pitchers), as ailing Pujols and Hamiliton hit way below par. I think maybe it's time to demote Jim Eppard and ask Garret Anderson to step in (who would carry over the Rod Carew tuteledge). It's not a bad idea with Hamilton struggling against lefties as it is.

...I've backed Sciosh 100% behind putting Williams into the rotation ahead of Richards after that Oakland game. It could prove among the best decisions this season, along with putting Trout in to the 2-Hole and Aybar leading off.

Nope. Weaver, Wilson, Vargas, Williams, Hanson. Williams is becoming quite the "bulldog."

Should Williams be left in the rotation? Ummm, not a question whether he should but that he WILL stay in the rotation. I've seen it coming since that 19 inn. game vs Oak., he is drilling from that mound!

Right-hander in there now, why isn't Hamilton in there?

Anyone notice lately the bat has changed? The end is cupped compared to it full before. It's allowing him and he's swinging with more control without going up there and clubbing at it. A slight hiccup with the sinusitis but he's getting back. This team is ALL coming together, it's getting there, they will surge. I'm concerned about Trumbo, though.

Amen Even Ham himself seems to have forgotten the true hitter he was before last year. He needs to find the consistent hitter he was before swinging for the downs. He need to focus on putting good wood on the ball without swinging for the fences. No question that that is what made him prominent to begin with, and he seems to have forgotten that, somewhat. I'd much rather see him take this approach to the plate then anticipating an HR. The only thing getting in the way is the bat itself he's taking to the plate with him, it seems to me. The bat is uncoordinated with his swing, still, time to change, it needs calibrating. I've been saying that all along, and I think it will in end up the case.

Trumbo cut down at 2B today for the Angels 21st time, is Scioscia out of this game? After getting cut down over the weekend against Baltimore, too, Scioscia's sending him them there again today, with Hamilton in the box?! Unnecessary!! Bet pushing makes or breaks your game, and that might have been his last chip. If they lose this game.