IowaAngels27

I think we all know who the MVP is through the first inning! Great hit and solid defense

Looks like they're even tough on fellow NL East teams. Go Trouty!

On a side note, while you might be joking I don't really get the Harper bashing, people always putting him down because he's not as good as Trout (yet). The kid is amazing. He's accumulated a 126 OPS+ in 197 games, 35 HR and 6.1 fWAR all before turning 21. Yes, Mike Trout is literally having one of the best starts to a major league career ever, but Harper is doing just fine and is going to be one of the best players of the next decade or so, along with Trout and Machado and maybe a few others.

Let's forget about the first half of the season and make fun of players we wish we had...just because.

I like the idea of moving him behind the plate. But it would need to happen sooner, rather than later.  Just no room at 1B.  As much as some of us (not me) would like to not have Albert, he isn't going anywhere for another 8 1/2 years.

I'm hoping to he surprises us tonight.  Glad to see him getting a shot after getting a hit and playing solid defense for a few innings on Wednesday!

A great outing and even a hit to top it off!

Anyone of you Angels fans that goes to away games notice that our fan base constantly growing?  I am currently in Chicago and was at the game last night and noticed that there were more Mike Trout jerseys than Cubs jerseys in the crowd.  I am grateful that people want to jump on our bandwagon because that means we're doing something right, but am I bitter to think that these aren't all true fans? Most of these people wouldn't even be able to tell me who Rod Carew, Don Baylor or even Darin Erstad is.  One of my pet peeves is bandwagon fans and Chicago seems to have more "Mike Trout" fans rather than Angels fans.  Am I wrong for feeling bitter about this?

To be fair, they've been sporadic at bats. Not mentioning it's only 20.

To be fair, we are not a patient fan base. Ask April 2012 Albert Pujols, It's Calhoun time.

After playing some great baseball last week I thought we took a step back tonight.  I realize Blanton didn't have his best stuff, but I was at Wrigley and there was a lack of energy on the field and defense looked a little sloppy tonight.  I still think we are playing pretty well, but there needs to be improvement everyday, especially with all of the head to head match ups with Texas and Oakland coming up.  I'm already excited for what tomorrow will bring. Go CJ and Angels!

Being from Iowa, I will obviously be traveling to see the team take on the mighty Chicago Cubs. I'm hoping I'm not the only one.  Come on Angels Midwest faithful....I can't crack a world series joke to them all! I need some help!  Let's keep it rolling on Tuesday! 

Let's keep it rolling in the Windy City!

The way our boys are playing right now I'm glad the whole country gets to watch them tonight on ESPN. Weav is back to form, Howie is playing with something to prove, Josh has found his power, and Albert apparently can still make an appearance in the field, along with our main attraction Mr. Mike Trout.  Find a chair, a cold drink and enjoy the show America! 

Honestly, how can anyone fall asleep after that? It's almost 2 o'clock in the morning in Iowa and I'm ready for more baseball!

I really think Howie deserved to be an All Star this year.  No offense to Cano or Pedroia, both are excellent players and I am very biased towards my team, but Howie has been fantastic both offensively and defensively.  And we see what a joke the Final Vote actually is.  All relievers in the AL and an easily set up way to allow Puig into the All Star Game without any debate.  On the bright side I am thrilled to have Trout out playing so close to his hometown.  He will enjoy spending time with Torii.  Let's just hope the Millville Trout faithful overtake Citi Field and make the stadium bleed Angel red!  Disappointed to not have Howie get what he deserves, but he will prove everyone wrong by staying hot and keeping us rolling! Go Angels!

No Howie on the final vote? What a joke!

Unfortunately, he isn't starting tonight. Trumbo is hitting 4th and Hamilton is hitting 6th.

Not sure why Sosh is messing with the lineup.  Its been working, especially with Josh playing better.  Not going to question him too much though, he knows what he's doing.

We will see Hank starting again tonight since CJ is pitching.  It looks like Hank is getting more comfortable with the rest of the rotation.  Good to see.

I hope so. Iannetta is basically Mathis with a higher on-base pct. less defensively

And yet what was Mathis when he played for the Angels? A back up to Napoli. Hopefully Hank keeps playing well and brings his fiery energy everyday. 

Iannetta is slowly getting replaced by Conger.  Hank has been fantastic and IMO deserves to be the everyday guy at this point.

http://www.vivaelbirdos.com/2013/7/1/4481642/albert-pujols-the-bullet-the-st-louis-cardinals-dodged

Found this article on a Cardinals fan forum.  My first thought on this article was how incredibly biased this is.  The writer had nothing negative to say about Pujols playing with the Cardinals, and absolutely nothing positive to say about him playing with the Angels.  My second thought was as he mentioned the decline in production he failed to mention that in 2012, excluding April, Albert hit roughly .297, which I would consider very respectable.  And my third and final thought is that as the writer mentions how "bad" Albert has been in 2013, he fails to mention the fact that he is playing with an injury that he could have easily gone on the DL for and missed time.  These articles fire me up and I really hope Albert plays well these next 3 days and for the rest of the season.  He will be a big part in continuing to right the wrongs of the season so far.  I'd love to hear others thoughts on this.

Another solid performance from Jason tonight. Definitely getting what were paying for.

The Dodgers lineup has started to show a little life the past two nights. Glad that will end tonight. Go Weav!

Zack Greinke will feel the wrath of our fully proven deadly lineup.  I feel bad for anyone that stands in our way

Looks like a "Winless Joe" wanna be with that facial hair