Series split: Angels 2, Mariners 1

You wouldn’t know it from this weekend’s boxscores, but the Angels aren’t exactly poised to take over the AL West. They sit 8.5 games back of the Rangers, and 5.5 games behind the Athletics (pinch me, I’m dreaming and I want to wake up). Of course, I only point this out to reassure you that while the Mariners may not be headed for a World Series run, neither is the Mike Trout Club.

Game One — Angels 9, Mariners 1

Kevin Millwood tacked on loss No. 12 to his record, handing over 9 hits, 5 runs, and 4 walks in a brief 5 inning appearance. The Mariners scored early, getting aboard in the 1st on a pair of singles by Franklin Gutierrez and John Jaso. However, the ‘pen provided extra insurance runs for the Angels, allowing an additional 4 runs and burying any realistic hope of a comeback.

Game Two — Angels 5, Mariners 2

Felix pitched. On any given Felix Day, I could leave the recap at that simple statement. Despite Trayvon Robinson’s home run and Guti’s RBI double, the Angels caught a clown ball inning from the Mariners, taking a 3-run lead on a fielding error, wild pitch (Pryor’s, not Felix’s), and passed ball.

Game Three — Mariners 2, Angels 1

Not only was this the first win of the homestand, but it marked the first time this year that the Mariners beat the Angels at Safeco Field. Hisashi Iwakuma extended his streak to 10.1 scoreless innings, allowing just 5 hits in 7.1 innings and 7 strikeouts. He struck out Mike Trout. He struck out Mark Trumbo three times. The Mariners managed two runs off Jered Weaver, both solo shots by Jesus Montero and Carlos Peguero.

Tomorrow, the Mariners celebrate Labor Day with a series opener against the Boston Red Sox. Here’s a fun fact for you: though neither team looks anywhere close to playoff contention, the M’s lead the Sox by three games. So, while I’ve lowered my expectations enough to simply hope that the Mariners will be a constant source of frustration for their AL West rivals this month, it would be nice to see Boston sitting a full 5.5 games behind Seattle this Wednesday.

Next game: vs. Red Sox | September 3 | 1:10pm

This weekend, the Mariners will test their recent winning streak against a team that falls somewhere between the Rockies and the Rangers. The Angels may be loaded with the likes of Albert Pujols, C.J. Wilson, and Mike Trout, but they are also clinging to last place in the AL West.

Tonight, Jason Vargas takes the mound against RHP Dan Haren. The pitching matchups for the rest of the week are as follows:

Friday — Blake Beavan vs. RHP Ervin Santana

Saturday — Felix Hernandez vs. RHP Jerome Williams

Sunday — Hector Noesi vs. LHP C.J. Wilson

Current record: 20-25

Last game: vs. Athletics. Following a one-hitter by C.J. Wilson and Ernesto Frieri, the Angels pulled out their second consecutive win with an 11th inning 2-RBI double by Alberto Callaspo.

In the past week, the Angels are 3-4 after splitting a series with the White Sox, losing one to the Padres, and taking 2 of 3 games against the A’s.

Last series against Seattle: September 5 – 7, 2011. The Mariners split the first two games of the series with a 6-error circus show and a 7-strikeout performance from King Felix. By the third game, the Angels required little assistance from Seattle’s defense, completing the series with a one-hitter by Jerome Williams and Jordan Walden.

The past five years haven’t been too kind to the Mariners, who hold a 25-51 record against the Angels since 2008. At Safeco Field, they’ve gone 15-23, slightly better than their 10-28 record in Angel Stadium.

Toughest player: Mark Trumbo. Trumbo leads the team with a slash line of .339/.403/.579, 41 hits, and 6 home runs in 35 games and 134 PA. Fortunately for Seattle, he’s managed to spread those hits fairly evenly across his 30+ appearances, going just 3-for-24 in his last five starts.

Weakest link: Albert Pujols. Okay, perhaps Pujols isn’t the worst Angel, but he’s been having a rough go of it in the American League, and I couldn’t just write this preview without mentioning him.

In 43 games and 185 PA, Albert is batting .213/.254/.333 with a .256 wOBA and 0.45 BB/K. Over his last five games, he went 5-for-24 with two singles, two extra bases (including his fourth home run of the season), and an intentional walk.

Expected result: Perhaps it’s the overconfidence that comes with a series win off the Texas Rangers, but I think the Mariners stand a chance against the Angels. Felix has regained his momentum after that abysmal start in Cleveland, Brandon League managed to get through his last appearance without giving half the fanbase heart attacks, and Seattle has almost figured out how to coordinate good offense and good defense.

 Loading ...

Let the battle for third place begin!

Albert Pujols. Yu Darvish. Yoenis Cespedes.

Welcome to the AL West, home to some of the biggest names in baseball, two back-to-back World Series appearances, and a large divide between the privileged Rangers and Angels and the less fortunate Athletics and Mariners.

Before the season kicks off on Friday, Aerys weighs in on the challenges facing each team, as well as the players and situations to keep an eye on this year.

Follow the jump for the three biggest questions facing each of the AL West teams in 2012…

» Continue reading “Three Things To Watch In The AL West”

Tempe Diablo Stadium. (Credit: Dave Nakayama/Flickr)

I lied. Albert Pujols will not be starting for the Angels today. If it’s any consolation, he performed very well in his debut, so we’re at least spared the stress of watching him play against Seattle.

Today’s lineups:

Seattle: CF Figgins, 2B Ackley, 3B Seager, C Montero, LF Carp, DH Olivo, RF Saunders, SS Ryan, 1B Rodriguez, RHP Beavan.

Anaheim: SS Erick Aybar, 2B Howie Kendrick, LF Bobby Abreu, RF Torii Hunter, C Chris Iannetta, CF Peter Bourjois, DH Hank Conger, 1B Efren Navarro, 3B Mark Trumbo, RHP Jered Weaver.

Michael Saunders will take the center field position for the fourth time this spring. Montero is set behind the plate for the second time, while Seattle’s regular season catcher, Olivo, works the DH spot.

Angels’ beat writer Alden Gonzalez makes an interesting point in his pre-game notes:

Scioscia on the Angels drawing 14 walks: “Early in camp, I’m really surprised at how well our guys are seeing the ball. And when that meets a guy who’s a little erratic, that forces some walks and I think that’s what we’re seeing.”

Blake Beavan has yet to put up more than two walks in his 3.2 IP, but even if he does… it’s just Spring Training. (Not that I’d mind watching the M’s go 5-1 today, though.)

 Loading ...

For MLB.TV subscribers, this will be the first Mariners game MLB televises. Today is your lucky day. Try not to rub it in the faces of those who can’t afford a $25/month subscription.

For Angels fans (or Mariners fans in Angels territory), the game should also be broadcast on Prime Ticket.

For those neither living in Anaheim nor with an MLB.TV subscription, well, enjoy Gameday.