VS. 
Counting down to the Angels’ game against the Rays in which Matsui looks to get going again on Japan Day.
Tampa Bay Rays (22-9) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (14-19)
Game Starters: TB – Matt Garza (4-1, 2.09 ERA) LAA – Joel Pineiro (2-4, 5.30 ERA)
Game Info: 7:05 PM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM
5. That series win in Seattle was a good start, but the Rays definitely aren’t the Mariners. The Angels are going to need to take their game up another notch as they now must go from facing one of the worst teams in the league to the best. The Halos can’t count on the Tampa running out gaggles of sub-Mendoza line hitters like Seattle did (the Rays have just Carlos Pena and Dioner Navarro to offer).
4. As if the Angels didn’t have enough incentive to win against Tampa but let’s not forget that this will also serve as an audition of sorts for the Angels for the services of Carl Crawford who will become a free agent after the season. Money will ultimately be the biggest factor, but Crawford needs to see that the Angels aren’t headed in the wrong direction and still are a desirable free agent destination for a guy looking for both a truckload of cash and a potential World Series ring.
3. Mike Napoli throwing + Tampa Bay Rays running = DISASTER. Joel Pineiro is going to have to really be on top of the running game if he doesn’t want all the speed Tampa players to run all over Mike Napoli and his horribly inaccurate throwing arm. He should pretty much assume that any walk he issues is going to be a two-base walk. In other words, throw a whole lot of strikes, Joel.
2. Can a game-winning hit on Saturday, combined with a day off on Sunday and the very first Japan Day at Angel Stadium today wake Godzilla from his slump? If healthy doses of confidence, rest and national pride can’t get Matsui going again, I don’t know what will.
1. Can the Angels solve Matt Garza? Right now, Garza is looking like a front-runner for the AL Cy Young. He comes into the game having pitcher eight innings in four of his six starts and allowing two earned runs or less in all but one start while striking out five or more in every single game.
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