April 5th is the Official Opening Day for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. But TONIGHT is the first night of the new year for the Anaheim Stadium. The Angels come home for two games... one against the San Diego Padres and one against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Surrounded by National League Baseball teams, it is up to Mike Scioscia's 2009 American League Western Division Champions to showcase the American League dominance in Major League Baseball.
The Padres have had a fairly good spring and although these games are still technically Spring Training Games, there are some bragging rights involved. The Angels are set to put out their opening day line up. Eric Aybar at Shortstop is slated to lead off, with Right fielder with Bobby Abreu batting second, then; Torii Hunter, Hideki Matsui, Kendry Morales, Juan Rivera, Howie Kendrick, Mike Napoli, and Brandon Wood. This is a veritable murder's row that the East Coast Media Bias is sleeping on. And for anyone who keeps talking about the Angels missing John Lackey, again people that's why we traded for Scott Kazmir. And Joel Piñeiro signing is looking better and better, especially his influence on Jered Weaver. The Angel starting rotation looks real good, again nobody in the Media is really talking them up. And then our bullpen. Sure the loss of Darren Oliver as a lefty specialist/setup man stings... but, Scott Shields is awesome as a setup man. Not to mention, the acquisition of Fernando Rodney and then traded Matthews Jr. for Brian Stokes. And that's in addition to Brian Fuentes, who is in better shape, and Kevin Jepsen and Jason Bulger who are both a year older and a year better.
So come on National League teams... show the Angels what you've got. Because TONIGHT, the campaign begins, TONIGHT, the Angels plan to silence the media, TONIGHT the ANGELS RETURN to ANAHEIM!
