Gamblers Once Again Must Take Angels Serious After Dan Haren Trade

The Los Angeles Angels have been considered a model franchise for the better part of the past decade. On Sunday, their front office once again showed why they are the standard by which many other organizations are measured.

Dan Haren was considered to be the top pitcher available on the trade market this year after Cliff Lee was traded to the Texas Rangers. Showing that they could match the Rangers deal for deal, the Angels acquired Haren on Sunday in exchange for Joe Saunders, among other players.

The Angels have been favorites of sports gamblers since Mike Scioscia took over as the manager of the team. Los Angeles has spent many days on top in the American League West, but it is the Rangers that sit on that throne this year.

Texas has a murderers row in the middle of their lineup, and they are getting strong starting pitching to go with the remarkable closing abilities of Neftali Feliz. Odds makers have the Rangers as the second choice to win the World series this year, behind only the Yankees.

The Haren deal will help soften the blow of losing Kendry Morales shortly before the All-Star break. Morales was hitting clean-up since Vlad Guerrero left for Texas last off season. Without Morales, the Angels have had to rely on their pitching, and the staff has been unspectacular.

Plenty of time is left for the Angels to turn around their season and run down Texas for the division title. On Sunday evening, the Rangers defeated the Angels, and now sit seven games ahead of L.A. and seven and a half games ahead of Oakland. Seattle is nineteen games behind.

July 26, 2010
Posted By Vincent Tapoglia III
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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