Series Countdown: Avoid the Letdown – Royals @ Angels

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Counting down to the Angels’ series against the Royals in which the Halos must avoid a letdown.

Kansas City Royals (34-45) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (44-36)

Game 1 Starters: KC – Kyle Davies (4-6, 6.06 ERA)  LAA – Joe Saunders (6-8, 4.88 ERA)

Game 1 Info: 7:05 PM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM

Game 2 Starters: KC – Bruce Chen (4-2, 3.92 ERA)  LAA – Ervin Santana (8-5, 3.92 ERA)

Game 2 Info: 7:05 PM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM

Game 3 Starters: KC – Anthony Lerew (1-1, 3.63 ERA)  LAA – Joel Pineiro (8-6, 4.23 ERA)

Game 3 Info: 6:05 PM PT TV-KCOP; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM

5. Could this be a letdown series for the Angels?  They’ve had a tough slate of opponents on this homestand thus far and they’ve held up quite well by going 6-3, but coming off the heels of a three tightly contested games against the rival Rangers, the Halos need to be very careful not to take the Royals for granted.  Kansas City is playing pretty well right now (by their standards) actually having won two straight series, so the Angels best not come into this series thinking they are just going to walk all over them without much effort.

4. This will be a big test for Joe Saunders.  He finally got back on track against the Rockies, but the real question is if he can keep it going.  It is especially important that he does pitch well right now because the Angels can’t afford to have another problem child in the rotation in light of the way Scott Kazmir has been pitching lately.

3. How much would it suck to have the beloved Vladimir Guerrero come in and nearly ruin things for the Angels last series only to have Jose Guillen, possibly the most hated former Angel in the league, come in and do the same thing this series?  I don’t see any reason that it should happen, I am just saying that it would pretty much be the worst possible scenario for Angel fans in this series.

2. It will be quite interesting to see how the Angels handle Hideki Matsui this series.  The Royals have two lefties set to start and Godzilla has been looking more like the GEICO lizard against southpaws this season, hitting just .198 with a .625 OPS.  The problem though is that Juan Rivera might be out with some eye problems, limiting the Angels’ options.  If he is healthy, we could either see Reggie Willits get a start or two or maybe a game where Napoli moves to DH with Brandon Wood playing first.

1. Happy Fourth of July in advance to everyone.  Have fun and try and stay safe.  Also, I apologize in advance for the hideous white hats the Angels are going to be forced to wear during Sunday’s game (and maybe even the whole series, but I really hope not).