Detroit Tigers (67-58) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (74-50)
Starters: DET – Edwin Jackson (10-5, 2.86 ERA) LAA – Joe Saunders (9-7, 5.33 ERA)
Game Info: 12:35 PM PT TV-Fox Sports West, Radio-KLAA 830 AM, KFWB, KWKW 1330 AM
Guess who’s back?
The poster boy for the Angels’ starting pitching woes, Joe Saunders is back to start today and claiming he feels as good as ever. Let’s hope he’s right. After allowing a secret shoulder injury to ruin the beginning of his season, Saunders makes a hopefully triumphant return just in time to stop the Angels’ skid and do his part to finally settle the Angel rotation.
But make no mistake, a lot will be riding on Joe’s start. Saunders’ struggles have been mighty this season and there is no guarantee that his shoulder is A) rested and B) even the problem to begin with. There is a very real chance that Saunders could be just as bad as he was before his DL stint, only slightly more rested. Last time I checked, shoulder pain doesn’t cause people to refuse to throw inside.
For the Angels, Saunders’ latest chance at saving his season comes at a desperate time. They can hardly fill their fifth starter slot right now, and if Saundo gets bombed tonight, then suddenly they must become very, very worried about filling the fourth starter hole as well. With only a few days left to make a deal, a poor start could force their hand in a season where they have been highly reluctant to make a move of any sort.
THREE Questions:
- Can the Angel bats overcome the Tiger gloves after last night’s incredibly display by Detroit?
- Do the Angels even have a chance against Edwin Jackson? The Angels beat him once early on in the season, but Jackson has been unstoppable ever since. He has allowed over three earned runs in a start just once since May 4th, including a one-run complete game victory against the Angels on June 6th.
- Is today’s day off enough to get Juan Rivera back on track? The Angel outfielder has slowed down a good bit in August and had a tough time producing runs the last two weeks. Since Mike Scioscia insists on hitting him behind Vladimir Guerrero no matter how well Juan is going, it is critical the Rivera get hot again to provide Vladi with the protection he needs.
TWO Predictions:
- Saunders fails to turn in a quality start but pitches well enough for my developing stomach ulcer to subside a little bit.
- Expect a home run derby from both teams in today’s heat. I am setting the over-under at 5 1/2 dingers.
ONE Wish:
- I wish (again) to PITCH AROUND MIGUEL CABRERA! That guy is absolutely murdering the Angels but they insist on pitching to him. He has driven in 7 of Detroit’s 15 runs this series. Walk him, hit him, escort him to first base personally if you have to, just don’t throw the guy a strike.
ZERO Tolerance for… another loss. The Angels haven’t loss four games in a row all season long and now is no time to change that. The Rangers are breathing down their necks and the offense is starting to cool off, so picking up a win tonight against a top pitcher like Jackson would go a long way towards getting the Halos back on track.
Leave your own questions, answers, predictions or wishes as a comment or just hang out with us during the game or even chat with us on twitter (@MonkeyWithAHalo).