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Friday, July 14
Midseason report: Anaheim Angels



The Anaheim Angels may not win the AL West, but they're bringing the lumber. It is entirely plausible that four Angels, and maybe five, could smack 40 homers this year. It's time to take a look at the good, the bad and everything in between from the first half for this team Dave Kingman could love.

First-half MVP: The former punter for Nebraska is having a huge year. How's this for Darin Erstad's hang time: .378, 17 HR, 64 RBI and 17 steals (through 86 games). And, he's contending for the AL batting title. The greatest active player from North Dakota (sorry Rick Helling) has a host of nagging injuries to contend with, but he's one reason the Angels are hanging around the AL West chase.

Biggest disappointment: Kent Bottenfield was one of St. Louis' more pleasant surprises last year, posting 18 wins in his first crack at a full season holding down a starting job. Now, to show how far he's come from the hanger-on he was just two years ago, he qualifies as a disappointment. Bottenfield's 4-7, 5.78 ERA this year hasn't helped. With the Jim Edmonds trade came expectations, and Bottenfield hasn't lived up to them yet.

Biggest surprise: Troy Glaus, yeah, we knew he was going to be good. Sure, Ben Molina is a top-notch rookie. But the number 24 can't be overlooked. Although it's troubling his batting average has sunken to Rob Deer-like proportions, Garret Anderson's power display qualifies as a first-half surprise. He's already hit 26 homers. Look out, Mac and Sammy, here comes Garret!

Second-half goals: This is a team that could use a healthy starting pitcher or five. A staff ERA of 4.97 (through 87 games) is not going to win the AL West, no matter how many homers the Angels lineup of sluggers produces. Losing Gary DiSarcina's defense in the middle infield hurt; the team would do well to find itself a defensive specialist and sacrifice some offense at that spot.

Grade: -- Bad pitching, bad defense, great hitting. That's Angel ball.

(Scale: 1 to 4 baseballs; 1 = worst, 4 = best)

We told you what we thought of the Angels' first-half performance, now you've told us. Here is what you had to say about what the Angels have to do in the second half.

 



ALSO SEE
MLB midseason reports

ESPN.com's All-Star Game coverage

Kurkjian: Stories of the first half

Ten second-half questions for the AL

Ten second-half questions for the NL

Midseason report: Seattle Mariners