Go West Young Man!

I thought that a change of title might improve the chances of a better performance on the West coast. They might need all the help they can get.

When most of the Angels starting pitching staff went down, it seemed like they might be in for a rough year--saved only by the fact that they play in the AL West and they wouldn't be facing too much competition. Then they lost Vlad Guerrero to a strained pectoral muscle and it would appear that they're offense would suffer. But somehow they've hung in there and have gotten themselves about .500.

Pitching tomorrow for the Angels is Jered Weaver. On April 10, Weaver threw 6.2 innings against the Red Sox. He struck out eight, walked two, and gave up four hits. He allowed only one unearned run. Overall, walks had been a problem for him in the past but he seems to have gotten it mostly under control. Lefties continue to have an easier time against him. He does seem to be giving up more home runs this year.

Matt Palmer is likely to make the start on Wednesday. Palmer made three starts not-so-great starts for the Giants last year before singing a minor league deal with the Angels this past winter. He was called up at the end of April and has done a decent job for them so far. He's made three starts against Detroit, the Yankees, and KC and won all of them. He throws a high eighties fastball, a curveball, slider, and a changeup.

Joe Saunders will pitch the last game of the series. On April 11, Saunders threw seven innings against Boston. He allowed four runs, seven hits (including two home runs-one to Mike Lowell and one to Jason Bay) and walked three.

Kendry Morales, Torii Hunter, and Mike Napoli have become most of their offense. Chone Figgins and Bobby Abreu lead the club with twelve stolen bases each. It's not too difficult to run on either Mike Napoli or Jeff Mathis.