LA Angels' Struggles Couldn't Have Come at a Better Time for the LA Dodgers

It's a tale of...well, one city. But two teams. In said city. Did anyone really think that one Los Angeles team would hold the best record in the Majors this far into the season, and the other would be in dead last in their division? 

Possibly.

But I bet nobody thought it would be the Dodgers with the winningest record in baseball, and the Angels struggling to stay afloat behind the A's and Mariners in the AL West.

Either way there's an unspoken rivalry between these two teams and these two fan bases. Angels fans believe they are the superior team and, despite the rich Dodger tradition in Southern California, deserve more respect.

Dodgers fans say "THIS IS OUR TOWN" and fiercely defend the historic franchise, even amid recent struggles. For those true-blue Dodger fans, the Angels' struggles in 2012 could not have come at a better time. 

Here's why:

Change of Ownership

Even if the Dodgers were in last place, their fans couldn't help but feel a certain level of smugness. Because the wicked witch, Frank McCourt, has taken his drama somewhere else, and there is a glorious new group of owners ready to spend.

If the Angels' struggles had come at a time when the Dodgers were still in disarray, it would be a much smaller storyline. 

Now, not only are the Dodgers clearly a better overall team, but they have the money and opportunity to add pieces and make a legitimate World Series run.

Expectations

Fans definitely take a certain level of selfish comfort in watching a rival team crumble. But especially so when the building was so tall and fancy. 

After the Angels signed Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson in the offseason, it was safe to say they skyrocketed to near the top (if not the top) of every analyst's power rankings. Though Wilson has been good, Pujols has been a mystery, and with his struggles, the Angels' fortunes have fallen.

While Dodgers fans had relatively modest expectations for this team, Angels fans were so sure, to the point of being obnoxious, they had a powerhouse team in the making. The way the first quarter of the season has played out makes it all the sweeter for Dodger fans.

Our Best Player Is Better Than Your Best Player

It's refreshing to see that the few remaining critics of Matt Kemp have been silenced with his scalding-hot start to 2012. Last year's MVP snub came out of the gate on a mission, hitting over .400 with 12 homers in April. 

He's cooled off a bit since then, and also went on the DL with an injured hamstring. But you know what? His numbers are still blowing Pujols' out of the water, who hasn't missed any significant time. 

Dodgers fans will let the Angels have their fancy, shiny, new toys. This is why they can't have nice things. Ours are better, and higher quality.

Losing LA

I can't reiterate enough how strongly Dodgers fans feel that Los Angeles is and forever will be their town. Many feel that the Angels are imposters, especially since they play in Anaheim (which, for you non-Californians, is NOT in LA).

Actually, I know many Dodger fans who still refuse to call them the Los Angeles Angels, referring to them still as "Anaheim Angels." By the way, Angel fans. Why not be the Anaheim Angels again? I believe you won the World Series a decade ago with that moniker.

But I digress. One can understand ownership's desire to have the tag "Los Angeles" attached for money-making opportunities.

Still, the Dodgers were in legitimate danger of losing LA to the Angels if their teams continued to trend in opposite directions. The way the Dodgers have played this year sure helps things, but watching the Angels tumble has been a special bonus in helping to keep Los Angeles a true-blue Dodger town.