Angels getting stronger as season wears on

Baseball Betting Lines

07/30/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have finally gotten back on track after getting off to a 5-7 start to open the second half of the season. Anaheim seemed sluggish out of the break, losing three straight series to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics. The consecutive losses hurt the Angels standing in the American League West and allowed the Seattle Mariners to creep back into contention. However, the Angels regrouped over the weekend to take three straight games from the Detroit Tigers.

The series sweep over Detroit showcased the Angels explosive lineup, as Anaheim outscored Detroit 34-13 during the three-game set. The Angels jumped all over the Tigers in Friday night's opener, capturing an 11-6 victory. Starter Jered Weaver was knocked around in the win, allowing six runs on 11 hits through 5 1/3 innings. However, Weaver's struggles were overshadowed by the Angels 13-hit performance. Outfielder Gary Matthews Jr. led the Angels, going 3-for-4 with three RBI and two runs scored.

Saturday night's contest brought more of the same for Anaheim, as it pounded the Tigers 10-3. Starter Joe Saunders pitched well, surrendering just three runs on eight hits through 5 1/3 innings. However, it was reliever Scot Shields who walked away with the win after pitching a scoreless eighth inning. The Angels had another big day at the plate, collecting 13 hits in the victory. Anaheim's sluggers saved their strength for the eighth inning, as both Garrett Anderson and Orlando Cabrera homered to turn a 3-3 tie into a 10-3 win.

The Angels continued to pound the ball in Sunday night's finale, tallying 13 hits en route to a 13-4 victory. Third baseman Chone Figgins paced the Angels, going 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored. Anaheim's play at the plate overshadowed a poor showing from converted starter Dustin Moseley. Moseley, who was filling in for the injured Bartolo Colon, was tagged for four runs on five hits through just 4 2/3 innings. However, the Angels bullpen came on strong, holding the Tigers scoreless through the final three innings. Righthander Chris Bootcheck was awarded the win after pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

Following the game manager, Mike Scioscia commented on his team's resurgence at the plate.

"I think our situational hitting has picked up in the last six or seven games to a level we saw before our little drought. That's encouraging."

The series sweep improved the Angels record to 61-42 on the season and extended their winning streak to four straight games. More importantly it gave the Angels a little more breathing room in the division standings, as they now hold a four-game advantage over Seattle. The winning streak could not have come at a better time, as Anaheim will open up a three-game set with the Mariners on Monday night.

GUERRERO SEARCHING FOR POWER

Vladimir Guerrero has proven that he is one of the premiere power-hitters in the game today. His resume speaks for itself, as the Angels outfielder has hit more than 30 home runs in each of the past three seasons, and was crowned the winner of the 2007 State Farm Home Run Derby. However, like many before him, Guerrero has gone into a home run slump since winning the crown just three weeks ago.

In reality the slump began about two weeks before the All-Star Game, but has not garnered much attention until recently. Guerrero has now gone 27-games without a round-tripper, making his current drought the longest of his career. His current homerless streak is magnified by the fact that he has hit just two home runs in his last 44 games, and has only hit seven home runs since April.

Despite his lack of home runs, Guerrero continues to be the most dangerous bat in the Angels lineup. The outfielder is batting an impressive .324 with 14 home runs this season and is ranked fourth in the AL with 81 RBI. Manager Mike Scioscia is confident that Guerrero's power will resurface along with the rest of the lineup.

"He's going to be fine," Scioscia said of Guerrero. "It is a home run drought for Vlad, but he's still been as productive as he could be. We haven't been setting the table as much for him, so some of his production numbers have been a little light."

Scioscia is not discouraged by his team's lack of home runs, as he is focused on winning games by any means necessary.

"Our offense will welcome home runs," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "We're not going to give them back. But I think we have to be realistic about the makeup of our club, and realize we have to score without the home run.

COLON HEADS TO THE DL

Starting pitcher Bartolo Colon was placed on the 15-day disabled list last Tuesday, after injuring his elbow the night before. The right-hander was sent to the DL following an MRI that showed inflammation in his right elbow. The Angels trainers and staff are confident that a few days rest and some light rehabilitation will be enough to get Colon back.

Colon's injury, if serious, may mean the end of his career in Anaheim. The 2005 AL Cy Young Award winner is in the final year of his contract and could test the free-agent waters in the offseason. Colon missed most of the 2006 season with a torn rotator cuff and still seems to be recovering from that injury. After getting off to a 5-0 start this season, the righthander has struggles, winning just one of his last 10 starts.

INJURY NEWS

In other injury news, catcher Mike Napoli was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right hamstring. Napoli, who had just come off the DL with a broken ankle, hurt the hamstring while stealing second base against the Tigers on Friday night. The extent of the injury is still undetermined, but is expected to keep Napoli out of the lineup for the entire 15 days.

Jeff Mathis will replace Napoli behind the plate for the time being. Catcher Ryan Budde was also called up from Triple-A Salt Lake to help out with the catching duties. Although neither player has much experience in the big leagues, Scioscia is confident that both can make a contribution to the club.

"There are two ways to get production," Scioscia said. "It's either going to be with experience, or it's going to be with talent. Some guys are going to have less experience and play at a higher level because of their ability. Some guys with experience don't have talent to really match some of that.

"These kids are untested, but we're very confident in seeing the way they handle themselves and the way they work in a big-league camp."

WHO'S HOT

Figgins has been on fire during the past two weeks, hitting safely in nine of his last 10 games. The third baseman has gone 19-for-39 at the plate during this time, while registering nine RBI and 13 runs scored. His recent streak has jolted his average to a team-high .333 on the season.

WHO'S NOT

Centerfielder Reggie Willits has struggled the past couple of weeks, batting just .205 during the month of July. The Angels' leadoff man, who has hit .300 or better in every month this season, has gone just 8-for-31 at the plate over his last 10 games. However, Willits has still managed to help his team, scoring a run in six consecutive games. On the season he is batting .302 with 29 RBI and 21 stolen bases.

ON DECK

The Angels will travel to Safeco Field this week for a three-game set against the Seattle Mariners. Monday night's opener will be a showdown between Kelvim Escobar (11-4, 2.91) and Miguel Batista (10-7, 4.48). John Lackey (12-6, 3.27) and Jeff Weaver (2-9, 5.96) will take the mound for Tuesday night's game, before Weaver (7-5, 3.68) and Felix Hernandez (7-6, 3.85) face off in Wednesday night's series finale.