It was definitely a mixed bag of results for the Halos in the 1st half. After an awful April, they rebounded in May and June, dominating those two months, and even taking 1st place for a while. However, a very bad start to July saw them fall to 4.5 games back of the Rangers at the All-Star break. Obviously the loss of KMo to that freak accident after his walk-off slam was devastating, but they have gotten by with great play from Kendrick, Hunter, and Aybar who's picked it up lately. Their top 3 in the rotation have been sensational, but Saunders and Kazmir have really struggled. To complicate matters their normally reliable bullpen hasn't provided much relief (yea i know that's a tired cliche GFY)! But they still have their X factor in Mike Scioscia who like his mentor Tommy Lasorda finds ways to get the most out of his players, so I would NEVER count any Scioscia-run team out of the race.
The Angels and Tony Reagins are in a very awkward spot right now, which I will explain in a minute, but I think the next 2 weeks will spell out the rest of their season. In the next couple weeks, the Angels will play series' against the Red Sox, Yankees, and a home-and-home with Texas. The Rangers with their newly added ace Cliff Lee are now heavy-favorites to win the division, and in this blogger's opinion the 2nd best team in baseball behind the Yankees. If the Halos fall any further back of the Rangers, I think they would be best off folding tent, for the following reasons:
- this is Texas' year, with their ownership issues, Vladdy and Young aging, Lee almost sure to depart, and the fact that they won't be able to hold onto all their young studs, this is the year they have to get it done. While their farm system is still loaded, if they get bought by a cheapskate or a moron, they could be headed for ruin. The Halos don't have as deep a system, and need a few pieces to be a legitimate contender. If they can't cut the gap, they'd be better off holding onto their young studs, going after Crawford in free agency, getting KMo back, and rebuilding their bullpen over the off-season.
If they do cut the gap however, they absolutely MUST MUST MUST go out and get a Dunn/Berkman/Lee type guy. However, whoever they do pursue should be a rental, if they are serious about getting Crawford in the offseason, in addition to KMo returning which would lock somebody out of a playing spot. The Halos must also not mortgage their future in making such a deal. All things being said, while it looks like Texas' season, I'll never bet on them not to fold, and I'll never count on Scioscia's teams not to overachieve. The next 2-3 weeks will tell the story! Good luck Halo fans (not really, but I'll insta take a Freeway World Series right now)!
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