VS. 
Counting down to the Angels’ game against the Rays in which Kazmir finally faces his old team (who definitely doesn’t miss him).
Tampa Bay Rays (22-10) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (15-19)
Game Starters: TB – Jeff Niemann (2-0, 2.23 ERA) LAA – Scott Kazmir (2-2, 7.11 ERA)
Game Info: 7:05 PM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM
5. So, Kaz finally gets to square off against his former team. I am sure the game means a lot to him, but with how poor he has been for the Halos this year, I am sure the Tampa front office members will be snickering to themselves the whole time they watch this game. Who knows though, maybe this start will get Kazmir locked in again or maybe Scott will ask his team to hand over the slider he used to have because it sure does seem like he forgot it when he left Tampa.
4. The Angels should be counting themselves lucky right now because they seem to have caught the normally excellent Tampa offense in a cold spell. They mustered just one run last night and that was just one day after they were the victim of Dallas Braden’s perfect game. Pineiro definitely deserves some credit for pitching well last night, but you can’t discount the fact that the Ray bats have just gone cold… not that I am complaining.
3. If there is one thing Kazmir has to avoid tonight it is walks. The Rays are an aggressive team, but if you walk them, they will still kill you by way of the stolen base. At least make Tampa earn their way on base otherwise those walks are going to turn into runs real fast, literally.
2. Will the bullpen be in trouble again tonight? Last night’s extra inning game taxed the pen pretty well and continues to expose the relievers as a giant chink in the Angel armor. Rodney, Fuentes and Bulger all threw 29+ pitches last night, so they aren’t guaranteed to be available unless urgently needed. Heaven forbid the Angels are forced to put Brian Stokes in with a lead because the rest of the bullpen is too used up, things could get real ugly then.
1. Joe Maddon makes me wish more managers wore hoodies too. How funny would Mike Scioscia look if he crammed his portly ass into a hooded sweatshirt? It would be like the Angels had some fat guy they found at a sports bar come in and manage the team. Maybe he’ll do it for just one game, just to give everyone a good laugh.
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