VS. 
Counting down to the Angels’ game against the Rangers in which the Angels will be visiting some old friends.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (18-21) @ Texas Rangers (20-18)
Game Starters: LAA – Scott Kazmir (2-3, 6.82 ERA) TEX – Derek Holland (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Game Info: 5:05 PM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM
5. Time to see if Mike Butcher really knows what he is doing. Supposedly he and Scott Kazmir came to the conclusion that Kaz can get his velocity and slider back if he goes back to throwing from a more over the top arm slot. Needless to say we will all have our eyes on the radar gun tonight as well as closely monitoring if Kaz throws more than a handful of sliders as he has been doing this season. I’m certain that this fix isn’t going to turn things around instantaneously, but I am hopeful that he will show some glimmer of hope in this game.
4. A lot of the Halos’ last few trips to Texas have been fraught with tension and animosity, but that figures to be greatly lessened tonight as we get our first look at Vladimir Guerrero as an Angel. It won’t be easy to see Super Vlad slugging for another team, but I am also happy that he was able to find a place where he could thrive once again. That being said, I still think the Angels made the right decision to let him walk, even though Matsui is struggling mightily. It was just time for Vlad to move one.
3. Strangely, seeing Darren Oliver on the other team is going to be disappointing. The Angels really need someone like him the pen this year. Not only has he been incredibly effective for the Rangers, and lord knows that Angels need that, but not having a lefty in middle relief has already burned the Angels a few times this year and I strongly believe that Angels would have been much better off keeping him on board this year.
2. When Vlad was an Angel, he was death on the Rangers, but how will he hit against the Angels now that he is a Ranger? This sounds like some sort of bizarre paradox that could cause the time-space continuum to collapse upon itself.
1. How many cocaine jokes will I make about Ron Washington during the game? The story is old news, but the Angels haven’t played Texas yet, so I really haven’t had a chance to revel in his misery. I am setting the over/under at 11.5.
Add The Sports Daily to your Google News Feed!
