Torii, Vlad Who? Hot Angel Bats Bring 8 Straight Wins, Still Need an Arm

It's like watching someone play a video game.

Ball players in games are generally designed to perform as well as their real-life counterparts. But really, success in most games depends less upon the skills of the characters and more on those of the person holding the controller

In the hands of the right gamer, Jacoby Ellsbury can become a home run champ and Mike Pelfrey can throw a perfect game.

Over the last week, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have played like the beneficiaries of some unseen, world-class stick jockey.

It's ridiculous. No matter who steps up to the plate, all have become offensive threats in the absence of sluggers Torii Hunter and Vladimir Guerrero.

Gary Matthews, Jr., a .220 hitter this season, helped orchestrate a comeback win against the Minnesota Twins with a two-out RBI single off dominant closer Joe Nathan.

Robb Quinlan has been lacing the ball all over the field—and over the wall.

Even Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis have come through with two home runs each in the last week, including two three-run bombs off Izzy's bat en route to a season high eight-game winning streak.

One has to wonder, just who has been controlling the Angels batters this week? 

Whomever it may be, it's clear they've stuck exclusively to the offense. The person in charge of pitching has apparently set down his controller.

The Angels scored six or more runs in seven of the eight wins during the streak, and three times in double figures. 

Over the same span, the starting rotation enjoyed exactly two quality starts—both thrown by John Lackey. Every other starter either left their games before the sixth inning or gave up more than three runs...or both.

The prolonged struggles of both Ervin Santana and Joe Saunders, along with the absence of a clear-cut No. 5 starter, only highlight the Angels need to add another pitcher to the rotation.

Roy Halladay is still the biggest name on the market, and L.A. has been linked to Toronto in trade talks over the weekend.

However, the Halos should not overlook names like Cliff Lee, Dan Haren, and Zach Duke, all of whom are on losing teams looking to dump salary and obtain young talent.

The Angels are certainly not short on trade bait. 

Minor Leaguers such as Sean Rodriguez, Brandon Wood, and Terry Evans should all be considered expendable, along with Major Leaguers Erick Aybar and Howie Kendrick. 

Throw in a pitcher like Santana, who's got plenty of big league experience, and the organization should be able to put together a nice little trade package for one of those front-line hurlers.

Mortgaging the future for a shot in the present is often ill-advised, but that's not what we're talking about here. 

General manager Tony Reagins and manager Mike Scioscia are going to need another quality starting pitcher to step up, especially if they plan on getting this team through the playoffs.

In order to do that, they have to be willing to give up something in return.

The Diamondbacks are desperate, but trading Haren for Matt Brown straight up is unlikely.

With the trade deadline fast approaching, the Angels will have to conjure up some deal quickly if they want to have a shot at winning it all this year.

Starting pitching is not the only area that needs a little touching up either. At the risk of sounding like a broken record, the Angels still have holes in their bullpen as well. 

Closer Brian Fuentes has been a revelation over his last 15 appearances, dropping his ERA all the way down below 3.00 for the first time since early April, but he's about all the Angels can count on.

Justin Speier, Darren Oliver, Jason Bulger, Kevin Jepsen—All have shown flashes of brilliance, but none have established any measure of consistency. 

Each is as likely to strike out the side in order as give up a grand slam. 

In Bulger's case, three slams.

Without reliable pitching, from both the starting rotation and the bullpen, no team can rightly hope for success in the long-term.

Fortunately, the offense has greatly overshadowed the Angels' pitching deficiencies, but they're not going to pound out right runs per game for the rest of the season.

Now is the time for general manager Tony Reagins to shine. Unlike his predecessor, Reagins has shown the willingness to make bold moves to improve his team.

Trading for Mark Teixeira was not as much of an upgrade as the Angels were hoping for, but another reliable starting pitcher and a decent setup man can carry a team like this one to the promised land once again.

If they can pull it off, we'll be celebrating much more than just an eight-game winning streak.