The Angels are a very aggresive hitting team, they teed off on Tim Hudson last night. Tino Martinez suffered the fate of many batters when he was late on the fastball, hitting into a game ending double play with the bases loaded against Robb Nen.

Result: Angels strike the first blow in the series against the A’s, while the Giants get the road trip off to a good start in St. Louis.

Today poses new challenges all over baseball. Let’s take a look. [Read more →]

I always say watching a baseball season develop is similar to reading a good book. Every single day is another story. Everyday is another chapter in a story that is just impossible to predict what will happen on a day to day basis.

More of the same today. The Giants fly to St.Louis, the Yankees face the Tigers in Detroit, the Angels are in Oakland, the Mariners head to Texas, and the Mets try to pass the Expos in Canada.

Here are my thoughts on today’s games [Read more →]

The outcome of Monday’s games certainly tightened up the Wild Card races as well as setting the stage for more surprises today.

The Yankees, suddenly looking vulnerable late in the game face Toronto, while Boston tries to right the ship against a knuckleballer Steve Sparks in Detroit.

Randy Johnson needs to win, what else is new, to snap an Arizona losing streak and Jon Leiber hopes he can fool the Braves for the second time in a week.

The A’s throw another lefty at the Devil Rays and Baltimore tries to beat one of the best righties in the league, Joel Pineiro.

Here’s what I think today. [Read more →]

The success of the Anaheim Angels has been one of the feel good stories of this baseball season.

This week Mike Scoscia’s team faces three teams Minnesota, Oakland, and Seattle who will each test the all of a sudden injury riddled Halos.

Boston faces Jose Lima in Detroit and the Yankees go on the astroturf in Toronto. The Diamondbacks come to Pac Bell and the A’s go to the Juicedome in Tampa.

Let’s see what it all means. [Read more →]

The A’s have played this town before as they roll on behind the best starting rotation in baseball.

Last year after the break Oakland won 58 while losing 17, a winning percentage of .775. The second best second half mark in major league history.

With an offense that has been asleep for most of 2002, the pitchers better not miss a step along the way. Today it’s Cory Lidle continuing his comeback from early season troubles against Rodrigo Lopez for Baltimore.

The Red Sox hear footsteps and it’s not just the Angels, but the A’s are 1 1/2 back of the wild card leaders.

Here’s how I see the games today. [Read more →]

Another day at the ball park with the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Mariners, Angels, and Twins winning second half openers in the American League.

The Braves, Astros, Giants, and Diamondbacks won their first games as well.

Trade rumors were flying around last night also.

Here are a few thoughts on today’s games and what I heard last night. [Read more →]

It’s amazing what a difference three days makes.

Prior to the All Star break, the second half of the season seemed so far away. Today, the marathon takes a turn and if you are a player, you can sense the change.

The games become more important because there is less room for error. Having 100 games to play is a lot different than the 72-75 games most teams have remaining in the schedule.

Go on a 10 game winning streak now and you may win a division. Go on a 10 game losing streak and I’ll see you in spring training.

Read on for some of the challenges facing the contenders. [Read more →]

Now that we have seen the first half of the season unfold who will be the end of the season award winners?

Some players have been eliminated because of poor first halves, but it is still tough to make the correct calls.

Here goes. [Read more →]

The first half of the baseball season officially comes to an end today with a full slate of Sunday games.

So far, the season has had few surprises.

Will the leaders finish up with a flourish and enjoy the glow of victory until play resumes Thursday?

Click “read more” and check out today’s top match ups. [Read more →]

In one of Billy Beane’s classic three cornered trades, the A’s sent Carlos Pena, Franklyn German, and a player to be named later to the Tigers for Jeff Weaver. The A’s then shipped Weaver to the Yanks for lefty Ted Lilly and two minor leaguers.

Once the A’s load the barrel, they pull the trigger on trades. Somehow, this trade feels like just the prelude to two or more trades by the A’s.

Here’s what I think so far. [Read more →]