Blue Jays Logo VS. Angels Logo

Counting down to the Angels’ game against the Blue Jays in which we wonder who will win the game of shadows.

Toronto Blue Jays (27-21) @ Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (22-26)

Game Starters: TOR – Brandon Morrow (3-4, 6.80 ERA)  LAA – Joel Pineiro (3-5, 5.00 ERA)

Game Info: 4:05 PM PT TV-Fox Sports West; Radio-ESPN Radio, KLAA 830 AM, KWKW 1330 AM

5. Tonight will be an interesting test for the Angels.  Brandon Morrow is a strikeout machine, fanning 59 batters in 45 innings this season, but he has also walked 28 batters.  The Angels sometimes have problems deciding whether or not to be patient or aggressive at the plate and if they lean too much on the aggressive scale, then they are going to play right into Morrow’s hands.

4. Will the real Joel Pineiro please stand up?  Two starts ago, he spins a shutout, but last time out he gets shellacked and even allows a grand slam to the opposing pitcher.  Fortunately he won’t have to worry about the pitcher tonight, but the Jays can definitely slug, so he better get that sinker sinking again otherwise he is going to be in for another bad game.

3. The X-factor in this game could be the start time.  For whatever reason, the Angels are playing a lot of 4:05 games at home this season, but that start time causes a problem for hitters because of the shadow that is cast halfway between the mound and home plate for a large portion of the game.  I don’t know who that shadow will favor tonight, but it has given both the Angel hitters and opposing teams fits in the past.

2. I commend Mike Scioscia for his willingness to tinker with the line-up of late, but I just can’t let go of the fact that Mike Napoli, the Angels leader in slugging percentage (.540 SLG) and OPS (.896 OPS), and both by pretty good margins, is batting no higher than seventh in the order (and usually just eighth) while Juan Rivera (.687 OPS) and Hideki Matsui (.679 OPS) continue to bat directly in front of him.  I understand wanting to have line-up depth, but this is getting ridiculous.

1. Are these the Bizarro Angels?  The Angels are currently on a four-game streak where they have not attempted a single stolen base and have committed at least on error in each game.  WTF?  Is Mike Scioscia even alive anymore?