29 June 2010

thoughts: missed opportunities, texas

Apologies, apologies for the long blog-silence. My "official" excuse is that I've been lacking in commentary lately since I've been mostly dependent on Terry to describe the going-ons on the field. Truthfully, I've also gotten into some lazy habits at home and really haven't taken advantage of this break in between school and summer internship.

Before I go on about the Halos, I want to say congrats to the Lakers for a second consecutive championship. I haven't really been a Lakers fan since, oh, 2000, but Game 7 was definitely exciting and inspiring to watch. Ever since the Lakers (and their fans) have become so spoiled and entitled, I've shied away, but even I have got to admit, they showed a lot of class, humility, and heart to pull out that win.

I'm hoping for some of that comeback power in the Angels, as they sit 4.5 games back the Rangers, and some of that poise, to hopefully serve in the playoffs against whomever comes out of the east.

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The games inbetween this post and last haven't been all too bad. In fact, the Halos went 7-4. But hey, I've been mildly disappointed. Really, those lost games have been about missed opportunites. Firstly, the Halos lost out on a series win against the Brewers and the opportunity to pounce on Dave Bush. Dave Bush, man! I think mostly everyone expected a hit barrage, but instead the Halos got one run while Bush lasted 7.1 innings. (Credit to Bush though, he's been doing much better now). Secondly, the Angels missed out on a chance to sweep the Cubs. Certainly, Zambrano is a good pitcher, but he's nothing like he used to be. Saunders just couldn't pull out his away-magic and really didn't give the team much of a chance. The loss to the Dodgers was much of the same. Even though the Angels managed to get 4ER off of Haeger, for most of 5 innings they made him look a lot better than he is. Add that with Kaz imploding in the 4th inning and bullpen meltdowns in the 7th and 8th, and well, that was a game to turn the page on. Perhaps the most frustrating loss was the latest one. With Texas finally losing (to the Astros, no less!), it was a fantastic opportunity for the Angels to gain a game. But the bullpen let the game (which Weave started and really dominated - 11Ks!) get away and the opportunity flutter on by.

It might seem like a Debbie Downer to highlight the losses, especially since the team isn't anywhere close to the M's, has been partially following Murphy's Law (What can go wrong, will go wrong) and is basically fielding a piecemeal infield. Don't get me wrong, I'm happy the Halos are winning. But after all that talk about how fantasically fantasic the Angels are in interleague play, and how that jumpstarted last year's team, the Halos really "only" went 11-7. A very good record, but not the domination that I think fans and media were hoping for. Sooner or later, the Halos are going to need to seize these opportunities and make a move in the standings. Sure, the Halos have been really good this past month or so, but they still sit 4.5 games out. Within striking distance, but they're going to need to take advantage of Texas's mistakes (i.e. losses) if they're going to rise to the top.

Which brings us to this great series starting today. I don't really want to overstate the importance of a three-game series in June, but it most certainly will change the feel of the race. I feel that a 4.5 game deficit (6 games in the loss column) is already on the boundary of "striking distance." If the Rangers win the series and add to their lead, it puts lots of pressure on the Halos to keep up. I firmly believe that the Halos need to win the series, and convincingly, to put a dent in the Rangers' lead and psyche. Sure, they will have 14 more head-to-head games to catch up after this series, but I think it would go a long way if the Angels can prove that they can beat the Rangers and that they're not going anywhere.

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There's been a lot of chatter in the halosphere that Texas has had a cakewalk schedule and that they will wither in the Texas summer heat. And that those two products will give the division to the Angels. I really don't like either notion.

First of all, the schedule is what it is, complaining is not going to change it and it won't make any of those wins any less than what they are. Besides, Texas did beat some quality starting pitchers, in Roy Oswalt, Josh Johnson, and the Brewer's Gallardo. Don't begrudge them their wins just because they did what they were supposed to do - beat up on woeful teams and woeful pitchers. I agree that they haven't been rigorously tested like the Halos in the beginning of the season, but that doesn't really mean jack-squat - they haven't gotten the chance yet to prove themselves. Hopefully, they prove that they aren't the best of the west and go on a nice, long losing streak. But they also have the ability to just keep on winning. Texas has a slightly harder schedule remaining than the Halos. I just hate the reasoning that just because the Rangers have had a lighter schedule than the Halos, they aren't worthy of first place and aren't worthy of a healthy dose of respect from the opposing team's fans. The Rangers are real competition. They are not the A's.

Secondly, I hate that fans are assuming that the Rangers will fade. Maybe it's just me, but I like to be in charge of my own destiny. I'd like the Halos to be able to rely on their own play, not the mistakes of others. The thought of expecting the other team to lie down, just doesn't sit right with me. Of course, the Rangers are remarkably consistent in their pitching faltering in the summer. But you know, that's a trend, not a rule. Could this be a summer where that trend breaks? Sure, it can. I don't think the Halos should play like they expect the Rangers to fade. And I don't think the fans should state the expected drop as a fact.

The Halos need to play their game. That means winning, and especially when those *special* opportunities present themselves. I still think that these head-to-head games are going to be a big piece in crowning the division champion. And definitely more so than those two "reasons" halo fans have come to cite.

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The OCR is wondering how Angels fans are going to greet Vlad tonight. What a ridiculous question. Angels fans know Vlad didn't walk away from the Halos like Lackey did - Vlad moved on with grace. Knowing the impact that Vladdy had on the team, fans and organization, I'd expect him to get something better than the kind of greeting GA got from Halo fans in spring training, not the kind that GA got this past week, and definitely not the kind of greeting I think Lackey would get.

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