Angels Brooms Getting Put to Work (66, 67/81)

Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Torii Hunter and the rest of the Angels lineup knew how important this series was. The Angels pitching staff, with Jered Weaver not pitching due to shoulder tendinitis, knew how important this series was. The Angels fans knew how important this series was, and everyone brought their to take down another contender in the AL Wild Card by sweeping the Detroit Tigers.

Good bye, Miguel Cabrera. You won't be missed in Anaheim this year. 

Not lost in the Angels late season surge has been 1B/OF/DH Mark Trumbo. Number 44 has disappeared lately, going 2-22 over the last few games that included a benching by manager Mike Scioscia to get his head on straight. Trumbo struck out swinging at a high pitch in Oakland last week and walked back to the dugout about ready to cry. He began mumbling to himself and shaking his head for the rest of the inning.

The difference between Trumbo before the All Star break and after is night and day. It also has everything or nothing to do with his Home Run Derby swing. After the break, Trumbo came out swinging, clobbering 6 home runs over the next two weeks. It seems lately that all he's trying to do is crush that ball over the fence when, at the beginning of the season, he was adjusting to pitches and hitting the ball to the opposite field. His recent downswing has him in a mental funk, and rather than make the adjustments and work on pitches he's missing, Trumbo just swings harder.

Lucky for Mark, the rest of the team has been playing fabulous, and he hasn't been asked to do too much. Mark my words though, the day will come when the Angels are struggling offensively again, and we'll all look to Trumbo to see what he can do.