YGY Series Preview Show: Angels-Yankees (8/12-8/15)

For the New York Yankees (59-57), this past weekend came as a bit of surprise in more ways than one. After a dismal series in Chicago, the Yankees came home against a red hot Tigers team heading in the wrong direction and the circus of Alex Rodriguez descending on the Bronx. There were the negatives, including Mariano Rivera blowing two saves in the series and each of his last three save chances and Tigers’ slugger Miguel Cabrera having three home runs in the series. However, the Yankees got to see the power on A-Rod’s bat as he hit a home run off of Justin Verlander Sunday and saw two walk-off hits from Brett Gardner that stole the series from the Tigers. While New York still remains out of the hunt to this point, they continue their homestand with a chance to gain more ground in the standings against a team that has been ranked by some to be having the biggest disappointment of the 2013 season.

Despite the Angels’ struggles, Mike Trout has still been one of the best players in the American League in 2013. (Photo Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports)

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (53-63) have been struggling since the season began. They were a team that was hyped to be a World Series favorite with the arrival of Josh Hamilton, but currently have two of the mainstays in their lineup (Howie Kendrick and Albert Pujols) on the disabled list. Recently, the Angels have seen a little of the aftereffects of Biogenesis as Pujols was the center of accusations by former Cardinals’ first baseman Will Clark on the St. Louis radio station he now used to work at. Mike Scioscia‘s club has struggled pitching wise this season with the third worst ERA in all of baseball. They are expected to get outfielder Peter Bourjos and pitcher Jason Vargas back for this series, but its a little too late. That being said, Mike Trout is having another outstanding season, hitting .330 with 20 home runs and 73 RBI’s. Whether its at different positions in the field or different spots in the lineup, Trout continues to be the star of this Angels’ team for the near future.

On this episode of the Yanks Go Yard Series Preview Show, presented by BaldVinny.com, I discuss the wild weekend in the Bronx against the Tigers including my reaction on the return of A-Rod and the struggles of Rivera. Then, Saxon Baird of Halo Hangout joined me to discuss the state of the Angels, Pujols, Mark Trumbo‘s strikeout woes, and young players to watch in this series. Also, who does he blame for the Angels’ struggles this season and do Scioscia and general manager Jerry DiPoto get a free pass?

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE ANGELS-YANKEES SERIES PREVIEW SHOW!!!