Kendrys Morales to the Rescue! (46/81)

With 2 outs, the bases loaded, and the score tied at 3-a-piece, Kendrys Morales stepped up to the plate, pinch-hitting for catcher Bobby Wilson. The once powerful first baseman/designated hitter had been struggling and been the subject of many trade rumors recently, hit a line drive over right fielder Jeff Francoeur and drove in 3 runs, including the speedy Peter Bourjos from first base. The clutch hit ended up being the factor as the Angels beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3.

Before the season started, the Angels weren't sure Morales ankle was going to be fully healed to start the season on the roster. As he progressed according to schedule, the Angels kept playing him more and more in Spring Training as the Cuban defector continued to rack up hits. When the season finally started, Morales was in the starting lineup, completing his comeback from a horrific freak ankle injury that cost him a season and a half away from the game.

Leading up to this point, Angels fans held a fear in the back of their head, something that they didn't want to believe but knew it was entirely possible: after missing so much time away from the game, would Morales be able to pick up where he left off, or would he be a shell of his former self? As the season has progressed, we've noticed a lack of power and production in our cleanup hitter. These warning signs have been partially hidden by the emergence of Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo as much as they were forgotten about with Albert Pujols early season struggles.

Jerry Dipoto has not forgotten. As the trade deadline nears, he has made Morales expendable, a key part of any trade that would bring a quality starting pitcher to the Angels rotation. Will the Angels end up moving Morales? Maybe, but we as fans need to be prepared for that and not hold this sentimental value of a guy who has been a decent player, but hasn't shown the explosive offense he was capable of in 2009.

The Angels have never been a team to dwell on past successes especially if they notice a decline. Look at guys like Chone Figgins, John Lackey, and Francisco Rodriguez. They were stars with the Angels and fan favorites, but the Angels had to go against the wishes of their fan base in order to improve their team because they knew these guys were not the answers. I know its hard to trust the front office after deals like Vernon Wells, Gary Matthews Jr., and Scott Kazmir, but we've got to know that these guys know what they're doing.

Weaver Returns (35/81)

Right now I'm in Las Vegas enjoying a beautiful complimentary suite at Planet Hollywood and I didn't catch the game last night, so I'm going to make this quick.

Jered Weaver made his return from back injury last night and didn't look like he missed a beat. Limited only by a pitch count, Weaver gave up only 2 hits in his 6 innings as the Angels beat the San Francisco Giants 6-0 and reinserted himself with authority back into the ace spot in the starting rotation. The Angels certainly didn't miss Weaver, going 14-7 while he was gone, but I'm sure they're thrilled he's back and healthy.

Kendrys Morales has been in a big slump lately but jacked a solo home run last night, which was immediately followed by a TRUMBOMB! It's been a good couple games to be a part of the top half of the Angel's lineup.

Is Jered Weaver the Best Pitcher in Baseball (4/81)

I feel like we're going to be asking this question all season: Is Jered Weaver the best pitcher in baseball? The answer is, "almost."



Jered Weaver got the 1,000th strikeout of his career tonight as the Angels blanked the Oakland Athletics 6-0. With his strikeout in the sixth inning, Weaver, 29, becomes the eighth player in franchise history to have at least 1,000 strikeouts, and, combined with his older brother, Jeff, became the sixth set of siblings to have 1,000 strikeouts.

Along with Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Justin Verlander, and Clayton Kershaw, Weaver is among the top 5 pitchers in baseball right now. Many would debate this and say Weaver is not even the best pitcher on his own team, much less all of baseball. Improvement tells the story.

In 2009, Weaver pitched good, but not great. In 211 innings, Weaver had a 3.75 ERA and struck out just 174. The next year, Weaver got control of his fastball and posted a 3.01 ERA with a whopping 233 strikeouts. Last year, 2011, Weaver upped his game to the next level by becoming a workhorse as well as a smarter pitcher. He lowered his walks per nine innings, lowered his hits per nine innings, had 198 strikeouts and a career-best 2.41 ERA in a career-high 235.2 innings. He continues to get better.

Tonight Weaver went 6 and two-thirds innings, striking out 6 while walking only one. He dominated an Oakland A's lineup that, quite frankly, is in the lower echelon of hitting, but it was important because he made a great rebound from his previous start against the Twins.

Weaver is the most competitive player the Angels have on their roster and will continue to improve. It's his Cy Young Award to lose this year because there's no way Verlander, the next best pitcher in the AL, matches his crazy numbers from last year, even with an improved offense.

One-Liners

Congrats to Kendrys Morales for smacking his first home run since 2010 tonight and successfully NOT breaking his leg on home plate as he finished his trot.

Can't blame Vernon Wells for not getting into a hitting rhythm when Mike Scioscia can't even pick a steady lineup, but he better take swimming lessons soon because he's about to get lapped by a Trout.

It's bad enough that Mike Scioscia can't pick a consistent lineup; it's worse that I agree with YANKEES coach Joe Giradi.