Angeles Stadium

July has been a great month for the twenty year old Mike Trout, he’s hitting .419 with seven homers, 14 rbi’s, and eight stolen bases. While the Angels are just 8-8 in July theyre showing improvements and are now just five games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West, and are currently leading the Wild Card race at 51-43. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have won 36 of their last 58 games after just starting out 15-21, and Mike Trouts’ call up has been a big part of the turnaround.

The twenty year old Trout is currently leading the American League with a .354 average, although he was just called up on April 28th he is running away with Rookie of the Year honors and his name has come up when talking about possible MVP candidates. Since coming on the scene he has bashed 15 homers, and has 46 rbi’s in just 72 games this season. With the Texas Rangers struggling as of late the Angels have been able to make up some ground and are in position to make a run in the second half. With the surge of his supporting cast, including marked improvements from Albert Pujols in the last couple months and Mark Trumbo bing an unexpected power source, they have what it takes to possibly take the division from the back to back AL pennant winners. Trumbo is hitting .307 with 66 rbi’s and 27 homers this season, good for the third most long balls in the majors trailing only Adam Dunn and Josh Hamilton. Pujols has turned around his season after his worst start of his career, bringing his avg up to .281 as of late, his power has returned as well, 3three in the last week and 17 on the year. Things are looking u for this offense, as all three of their major guys are hitting on all cylinders.

While the Angels are averaging over six runs a game over their last six games the pitching is beginning to come together as well. Jered Weaver is having another great year, posting a 12-1 record and a 2.20 ERA, which is good for second in the American League behind the White Sox Chris Sale’s 2.11 ERA. One of the favorites to win the AL Cy Young no doubt. They have found a solid closer in Ernesto Frieri, who has been lights out since earning the spot as closer. He has converted all eleven of his save opportunities to this point and is posting a 1.38 ERA to date, with 65 strikeouts in just 39 innings. Sometimes in sports the best team does not win, but merely the one playing the best at the time that it matters the most, the Angels appear to be peaking at the right time as we head down the stretch. Things are starting to come together and with twelve games remaining in the Angels Schedule against the division leading Texas Rangers the Angels will have ample chances to prove they’re the best team in the AL West.