Series Countdown: Angels @ Cubs

VS.

Counting down to the Angels’ series against the Cubs in which we get plenty of day games, Jeff Mathis and more wacky line-ups.

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (37-32) @ Chicago Cubs (30-36)

Game 1 Starters: LAA – Scott Kazmir (6-5, 5.27 ERA)  CHC – Carlos Silva (8-1, 2.89 ERA)

Game 1 Info: 11:20 AM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM

Game 2 Starters: LAA – Jered Weaver (6-3, 3.29 ERA)  CHC – Ted Lilly (2-5, 2.90 ERA)

Game 2 Info: 10:05 AM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM

Game 3 Starters: LAA – Joe Saunders (5-7, 4.70 ERA)  CHC – Carlos Zambrano (2-5, 5.66 ERA)

Game 3 Info: 11:20 AM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM

5. Excuse my relative lack of activity on the blog lately.  For those that don’t know, I also operate a LA Lakers blog, LakersOfFire.com, so I am sure you can appreciate how busy I have been these last few weeks.  Now that the NBA season is over, expect me to be back and hitting it hard on the Angels’ side.  We now return you to your regularly scheduled MLB programming.

4. The good news is that Jeff Mathis is back, the bad news is we are still using a third-string shortstop.  Add to all of that mess that the Angels can’t use a DH this series and we could be in for some pretty wacky lineups this series.  Kevin Frandsen batting sixth anyone?  It could happen.

3. Joe Saunders has to get back on track after his last bad start.  He was just getting going so well and then he laid an egg against the Brewers.  With the injuries starting to mount on the offensive side of the diamond, the starting pitching really needs to step up, but Saunders especially.

2. We aren’t going to get through this series without anyone mentioning the alleged trade rumors of Derrek Lee coming to the Halos, but I am going to go ahead and say thanks, but no thanks.  I want no part of a guy who, in a freaking contract year, is hitting .228 with just .367 SLG, despite being a purported slugger.  The original speculation was that Lee would snap out of his funk, but his average in June is down to .205.  Watch, now that I have belittled him, Lee will promptly go 8-for-14 this series with two homers and seven RBIs.

1. Day games o’ plenty in this series.  Seriously, a 10 AM game on a Saturday?  Who’s bright idea was that?  This should actually work out well for the Angels who are 16-9 during day games but under .500 (21-23) at night.  Thanks, Chicago.