Mark68

Looks like not.

Oh good. Or not. Jeppy's in.

Is it just me or does Snyder look like Napoli? Except for the top two buttons being undone and actual ability to hit...

Why attempt the sac bunt there when you just KNEW Cowart was hitting a triple?

That sacrifice attempt by Hester was the heat. Especially because the Rangers had planned on it.

Darn?

Illuminating device that is performing at suboptimal levels.

Wonder how homer happy he'll be in midsummer in the Bronx...might at least help him stop pulling the ball, since the short porch is in RF.

And it was scoreless thru 7...

162 But the Angels come back to win 92 of them.

11-16 They'll start 8-16, then win 3 in a row.

With the offense we should have, middle of the pack should be fine.

So now he's out of the closet just in time for the Supreme Court to rule on DOMA and Prop 8. Ironic.

Scioscia and Conger for Showalter?

PTBNL. So later that he's not even in the discussion yet.

Not in the right situation, with a hitter that won't swing and miss a lot, leading to a strike 'em out, throw 'em out double play. So, in this starting lineup, you hit and run with....Callaspo? Maybe Aybar? Everyone else has just as good a chance at adding intensity to a Santa Ana than to make contact and move the runner over.

I do think we'll be in some tight games. 9-8 and 8-7 are still tight. But I will puke if I see Trout being bunted to third with zero outs, especially early in games. With this lineup, that strategy would be, shall we say, sub-optimal. It may make more sense late and close, when one run could likely make a difference, but I would rather have three shots at a run-scoring single than two at a single or one at a ground ball. Check that, ZERO at a ground ball, because we ALL know what will happen with a runner at third, less than two outs, and a ground ball to the infield...

He's wearing 56? Did Cashman think he was getting a relief pitcher?

You do realize that the whole lineup sucked in April, right? That skewed everyone's stats. Except for Trumbo. After April, Callaspo had a .724 OPS.

Except last year, and especially last postseason. There's a reason why the Tigers opted with the rookie closer this year.

Callaspo still had more plate discipline than anyone else in the lineup last year.

There is one situation where I have no problem with bunting (given this lineup and pitching staff): if it's late and tied or the Angels have a small lead where one insurance run is key, then by all means have Bourjos, Hester, or even Aybar bunt. Never EVER have Trout bunt, unless he decides to bunt for a hit. This is one of the reasons why I also want Callaspo hitting second. Callaspo doesn't strike out much, and has the ability to hit behind the runner, which is not the same thing as a sacrifice (he could punch it thru the 3-4 hole, for instance), and can hit it into the gaps. Callaspo also takes the occasional walk, which is more than I can say for most of the rest of this lineup of free-swingers.

Time for the blowpen to live up to its name... Jeppy in.

Don't K again Trout.