Putting a Halo Over The AL West In 2010

The Los Angeles Angels are ramping up for the fifth AL West title over the last six years with increased purpose after the unfortunate accident of slugger Kendry Morales.  Their series opening victory over AL West rival Texas was a statement game of resilience after a crushing blow from a Vlad Guerrero homerun and appearance of long time left-handed reliever Darren Oliver.  The long awaited glow of the Angels has overcome a slow start and seems to be picking up momentum heading into the All-Star game held at their own Angel Stadium.

Joel Pineiro’s eighth victory on the season came in unusual fashion after getting only five ground ball outs which are typically his prime method of getting outs.  Pineiro’s gratitude should be addressed primarily to Bobby Abreu’s time breaking and base clearing hit in the sixth inning that would give the Angels a final lead that would be preserved by closer Brian Fuentes in one of his most convincing outings of a questionable year thus far for Los Angeles.

This victory by the Angels over Texas put a stint into an excellent win streak of the Rangers who had considerable momentum entering Tuesday night’s game.  While the Angels do not currently have a starter in the All-Star fan voting polls, it might be said that the value of each player is significantly higher than any other team coveting a run for the AL West pennant in 2010.

Wednesday’s game against Texas sends Scott Kazmir to the mound to attempt to stretch an important series of games versus their rivals for control over the division heading into the mid-season break point.  If depth has gone to Texas, then a run of momentum and chemistry seem to rest in the dugout of the Angels, who gelled in the month of June better than any in Major League Baseball, and are making a run that will make them a formidable opponent through the summer months stretching to October.