Game Countdown – 7/28/09: Retro Night – Indians @ Angels

Cleveland Indians (42-58) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (58-40)

Starters: CLE – David Huff (5-4, 6.39 ERA)  LAA – Jered Weaver (10-3, 3.57 ERA)

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

it’s 80’s night at Angels Stadium!  Woohoo!  Let’s all get dressed up and relive the glory days of the Angels franchise when they… generally, just weren’t that good with the exception of two soul-crushing playoff losses.  Yeah, let’s get geeked up for that.

Cyndi Lauper

Who doesn’t want to watch a baseball game with a bunch of people who look like this?

For the Angels, having a retro night would actually be a pretty good idea, only they just need to flashback a few days rather than a few decades.  After two straight bad losses, getting a little reminder memory check on what they did to win eight in a row should snap them right out of this mini-funk.


THREE Questions:

  • Will Kendrick play tonight?  Conspiracy theorists think Howie was benched last night because the Angels and Tribe were on the verge of a trade involving Kendrick.  Never mind that there was no place in the line-up for him seeing how Aybar and Izturis are both playing better than him right now and Rivera is temporarily limited to DH.  Now, if Howie doesn’t play again tonight, I might buy the theory a little bit more, but I am skeptical for now.
  • Can Jered Weaver avoid the same fates as Ervin Santana and Colonel Saunders?  Weave hasn’t exactly been on fire lately and the Angels could really use a strong outing from him rather than end the night with yet another starting pitcher to worry about.
  • What jackass outfit will Rex Hudler be sporting as part of 80’s night in the pre-game show?  Note to self: do not watch the pre-game show.

TWO Predictions:

  • After their back-to-back-to-back shots last night, the Angels will go without a home run in this game.
  • I’ve got a sneaking feeling that last night’s loss will spur Tony Reagins into action and some time before the end of the game the Angels will announce a minor trade for a relief pitcher.  I have no insider information, just a hunch.

ONE Wish:

  • I wish I wasn’t actually happy Robb Quinlan will be playing.  Q has been a thorn in my side most of the year, but right now Reggie Willits is driving me even crazier.  Remember when Willits would take a walk?  Reggie doesn’t seem to.  Instead he seems intent on hitting balls in the air.  Not a great idea for a guy with absolutely zero power.  At least with Quinlan in left tonight (presumably, haven’t seen the line-ups yet) there is a chance at some sort of offensive production from that position.

ZERO Tolerance for… more bullpen shenanigans.  The team was long overdue for a blown save, so hopefully they got it out of their system.  Still, there really isn’t a guy sitting out in the pen right now who doesn’t look very shaky.  Let’s not revert back to the Bullpen of Doom now just when things are going so well.

Leave your own questions, answers, predictions or wishes as a comment or just hang out with us during the game or even chat with us on twitter (@MonkeyWithAHalo).

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