Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago White Sox – Series Preview (5/16-5/17)

WOW! In a 24-hour period so much has changed. This team is like a crazy roller coaster at Six Flags Magic Mountain; the ups and downs of this season have fans everywhere jumping for joy one day and pulling their hair out the next. The Halos dropped the opener of their brief two game series with the Oakland Athletics but they managed to win game two for a series split. Although Tuesday’s game was just one game out of a 162 game season, it signified much more. I, like many of you, have thought this team was poised to break out numerous times this season..I actually think now is the time!

Albert Pujols went 3-for-4 on Tuesday, finally resembling the old Pujols that dominated baseball for 11 seasons in St. Louis. This was a much needed performance, not just for the Halos but for Pujols’ psyche. It’s no secret that he has looked lost at the plate recently, a 3-hit performance has to boost his confidence somewhat. Hopefully yesterday’s game is a sign of things to come and not an aberration.

Mike Trout continues to improve and produce. Let’s be honest, the Angels have had some big prospects come through the system that flat out flopped once they got to the majors, I think each and every one of us are crossing our fingers thinking Trout is just too good to be true. On Tuesday, Trout showed that he just might be the real deal as he went 3-for-4 with a home run, an RBI and 3 runs. Harper-Mania may be sweeping the east coast but so far in 2012, after only 57 at-bats, Trout has 3 home runs, 8 RBI’s and 3 stolen bases…all while batting .316. Over the course of 500 at-bats Trout’s projected numbers are 26 home runs, 64 RBI’s and 24 stolen bases. Not too shabby for a 20 year old leadoff hitter.

Although Pujols and Trout had big games, the biggest news happened off the field as General Manager Jerry Dipoto dismissed longtime Angels’ hitting coach Mickey Hatcher. I don’t want to criticize Hatcher anymore then has already been done but I think it was pretty apparent that a change had to be made. It was a loooong time coming. Although it didn’t work out this season for Hatcher with the Angels, I honestly wish him the best in the future.

Ervin Santana. Angel fans have gotta’ love the way Santana has turned his season around. After starting 0-6, he has won his last two starts, improving his record to 2-6. His ERA continues to drop with each outing, standing at 4.36 after Tuesdays win against the A’s. It was a big win by the Angels going into another short series against the Chicago White Sox.

The Angels will welcome the Chicago White Sox to town for a quick 2-game series beginning tonight at the “Big A”. There is a lot to feel positive about if you are an Angels fan; Mike Trout and Albert Pujols are coming off of big offensive games, the bullpen has allowed only 1 earned run in the last 5.1 innings, and the Halos get a new hitting coach which will hopefully improve a lackluster offense. Although it’s a short series, it’s an important one because it starts a stretch in the schedule where the Angels will play 12 games against the White Sox, Padres, A’s and Mariners who have a combined 65-84 record. If the Angels are going to make a move and get back into the race before summer then this may be the stretch to do so.

5/16 – Jerome Williams (3-1, 4.19 ERA) vs. Gavin Floyd (3-3, 2.53 ERA)

5/17 – C.J. Wilson (3-2, 3.42 ERA) vs. Chris Sale (3-2, 3.08 ERA)

5/16 – Sunny with a high of 83 degrees

5/17 – Partly cloudy with a high of 80 degrees

5/16 – 7:05 p.m. / FSW / Peter Bourjos Bobblehead

5/17 – 12:35 p.m. / FSW

Player to Watch:

Albert Pujols without a doubt is the player to watch this series. Fans, sports analysts and probably Pujols’ own teammates are wondering if yesterday was King Albert’s breakout game and a sign that he is back on track or if it was an aberration. The Angels will be facing two good young pitchers in Chris Sale and Gavin Floyd so it will be interesting to see how Pujols performs, especially now that the Halos have a new hitting coach.

Avg.: .250 / 7th

OBP: .301 / 12th

SLG: .379 / 11th

OPS: .680 / 11th

Hits: 309 / 6th

HR: 32 / 10th

RBI’s: 127 / 12th

R: 134 / 12th

BB: 88 / 14th

SO: 248 / 10th

SB: 19 / 9th

W: 16 / 11th

ERA: 3.93 / 7th

SV: 5 / 14th

SVO: 11 / 12th

IP: 322.2 / 10th

HR: 35 / 11th

BB: 106 / 12th

SO: 257 / 8th

Avg.: 245 / 7th

WHIP: 1.26 / 4th

Opponent Interesting Facts:

Founded: 1893, as the Sioux City, Iowa franchise in the minor Western League. Moved to Saint Paul, Minnesota in 1895, then to Chicago in 1900 when that league was renamed the American League, and which became a major league in 1901.

Formerly known as: Sioux City Cornhuskers, 1894. St. Paul Saints, 1895–1899. Chicago White Stockings, 1900–1904.

Home ballpark: U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago. (This park, originally known as “New Comiskey Park”, was opened in 1991; the original Comiskey Park was in use from mid-1910 to 1990. The original home field in Chicago was South Side Park. The previous home field in St. Paul was Lexington Park).

Uniform colors: Black, Silver, and White

Logo design: The letters “SOX”, interlocked in Old English Script font

Current Team motto: “Appreciate the Game”

2005 World Series Championship Season Motto: “Win or Die Trying”

Fight Song: “Let’s Go, Go-Go White Sox” by Captain Stubby and the Buccaneers

All-time regular season record (through 2010): 8628 wins — 8413 losses — 101 ties — 3 no-decisions

Local Television: Comcast SportsNet Chicago, WGN, WCIU

Local Radio: WSCR 670AM “The Score”

Mascot: Southpaw

Television Announcers: Ken Harrelson, Steve Stone

Radio Announcers: Ed Farmer, Darrin Jackson

Spring Training Facility: Camelback Ranch, Glendale, Arizona