Now with the All-Star game and all of it's semi-charmed glory all over with, it's time for the Angels to fire up those horses and start the second half. It is no secret that the Angels have an uphill battle ahead of them with the Rangers in the proverbial drivers seat only 4 1/2 games up in a division that some say may be the weakest in the league. That may be the saving grace to some halo fans but,with the the acquisition of left handed super starter Cliff Lee and the Angels former franchise man, Vladimir Guerrero, making a strong bid for A.L. Comeback Player of the Year, it's hard to ignore the fact that the Rangers maybe poised to grab the A.L. West for the first time since 1999.
If you take a look at the past few years though, The Angels have been pretty much a strong second half team with many players hitting their offensive strides over the last 3 1/2 months of the season. Angels such as Juan Riviera,Mike Napoli, Bobby Abreu, and Howie Kendrick all have had better second half numbers in recent years. Even the pitching as seen a resurgence in the second half than in the first over the years. Questions still remain though for this years band of Halos as there are glaring holes up and down the lineup that need to be filled before a run to the playoffs,or another division title for that matter, can be justified.
Questions about whether the bullpen can save games in the postseason or whether or not the ever changing lineup will find an offensive continuity that we saw during the second half of last year need to be addressed. Questions remain about whether or not Angels GM Tony Reagins will make a last minute acquisition at the July 31st. trade deadline for a starter or a sure fire offensive presence in the lineup that is able to make a difference can be made. Questions remain about whether or not a struggling bullpen that is second to last in the league in ERA will be able to recover and return to a force to be reckoned with just as it was 2 years ago.
Will the Angels get an Adam Dunn, a Carl Crawford, or a Paul Konerko? Or will they go out and get a Matt Capps, a Heath Bell, or a Derek Lowe? What will the Angels do to turn the tide in the second half and make the Rangers sweat? What will they do if Brandon Wood continues to lay an egg and doesn't live up to his expectations offensively and defensively? What will happen if Scott Kazmir doesn't find his once devastating slider that made him so great with the Tampa Bay Rays and continues to give up 7 earned runs or more in a game? Can Hideki Matsui and Torii Hunter turn it on and carry the offense to a 9th division title?
All these questions and more will be answered in the coming months. Stay tuned because I have a feeling that the Angels are gonna have one heck of a wild second half and a stunning finish to boot! Watch out Texas...here comes the Halos to take what is rightfully theirs! Will the Angels come through in the second half? You be the judge!
If you take a look at the past few years though, The Angels have been pretty much a strong second half team with many players hitting their offensive strides over the last 3 1/2 months of the season. Angels such as Juan Riviera,Mike Napoli, Bobby Abreu, and Howie Kendrick all have had better second half numbers in recent years. Even the pitching as seen a resurgence in the second half than in the first over the years. Questions still remain though for this years band of Halos as there are glaring holes up and down the lineup that need to be filled before a run to the playoffs,or another division title for that matter, can be justified.
Questions about whether the bullpen can save games in the postseason or whether or not the ever changing lineup will find an offensive continuity that we saw during the second half of last year need to be addressed. Questions remain about whether or not Angels GM Tony Reagins will make a last minute acquisition at the July 31st. trade deadline for a starter or a sure fire offensive presence in the lineup that is able to make a difference can be made. Questions remain about whether or not a struggling bullpen that is second to last in the league in ERA will be able to recover and return to a force to be reckoned with just as it was 2 years ago.
Will the Angels get an Adam Dunn, a Carl Crawford, or a Paul Konerko? Or will they go out and get a Matt Capps, a Heath Bell, or a Derek Lowe? What will the Angels do to turn the tide in the second half and make the Rangers sweat? What will they do if Brandon Wood continues to lay an egg and doesn't live up to his expectations offensively and defensively? What will happen if Scott Kazmir doesn't find his once devastating slider that made him so great with the Tampa Bay Rays and continues to give up 7 earned runs or more in a game? Can Hideki Matsui and Torii Hunter turn it on and carry the offense to a 9th division title?
All these questions and more will be answered in the coming months. Stay tuned because I have a feeling that the Angels are gonna have one heck of a wild second half and a stunning finish to boot! Watch out Texas...here comes the Halos to take what is rightfully theirs! Will the Angels come through in the second half? You be the judge!
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