Stairway in Seven

In what could be an early October wildcard (play-in game) preview, the Los Angeles Angels and Detroit Tigers have split games one and two of a four game series in the Motor City.  After tonight’s 13-0 thumping of the Tigers, the Angels progress to 50-41, improving their lead atop the AL wildcard standings and still giving them a shot at chasing down the Texas Rangers in the AL West. 

If there was ever an up and down season for a World Series contender, it would be the 2012 Angels.  The Angels are opening up baseballs second half with a daunting seven game road trip; which has already included three games at Yankee Stadium and now a four game set in Detroit.  After LA's horrible opening to the 2012 season, this seven game roadie could serve as building blocks for a playoff run. 

Heading into tonight’s matchup, the Angels were sitting at 1-3 through four games.  In the midst of a seven game gauntlet and coming off of a disappointing loss to the Tigers on Monday night, LA’s bats came alive early in game two against the Tigers.  Mark Trumbo, Mike Trout, and Albert Pujols all homered by the end to the second inning, propelling LA to a 7-0 lead heading into the top of the third.  The early onslaught buried the Tigers, thus giving LA a potential momentum building victory going forward in 2012. 

The Angels hit five homeruns total in a win they needed desperately.  Even though it’s the middle of July, LA could not afford another let down and fall to 1-4 on their second half opening road trip.   

The Angels have been by far the most intriguing team to follow in the AL; not because of their inconsistency at times, but due in large part because of their call-ups and acquisitions. 

Outfielder Mark Trumbo, who first debuted in eight games with the Angels in 2010, has been remarkable.  He currently has homered six times in his last eight games and leads his club in homeruns (26), RBI (65), and OPS (.995).  Twenty year old outfielder Mike Trout has a clear beat on the AL Rookie of the Year award.  Trout leads the Angels with a .355 batting average and 30 stolen bases.  Oh and let’s not forget that he is a monster athlete that could probably open up Chargers training camp as their starting tight-end.  LA’s super-star signee, Albert Pujols, finally seems to be adjusting to AL pitching.  With his single shot tonight, he sits on 16 homers and his average is slowly beginning to climb.

The Angels as a team are beginning to climb.  They have the pitching; that was never in question, but now all of their bats are becoming a force.  A three game home-stand against the Rangers follows the Detroit series.  Three games that could fuel an AL West showdown from here on out, now that’s something the Angels can build on.