FIELDING Trout covers so much ground and makes so many jaw-dropping, home run-saving catches, it only seems natural that he’s back in centerfield full time for the Angels. Aybar is a steady presence at shortstop, while Kendrick has gradually shed the all-hit, no-glove reputation. He had a .982 fielding percentage in 2013. Pujols is counting on a return to health helping his defense at first, where he is a two-time Gold Glove winner. STARTING PITCHING Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson are a formidable 1-2 punch at the front of the rotation. Despite diminishing fastball velocity, Weaver is still an artist on the mound, finishing with an 11-8 record and 3.27 ERA in an injury-shortened 2013. Wilson was one of the best starters in the AL, going 17-7 with a 3.39 ERA and 188 strikeouts in 212.1 innings. Fireballer Garrett Richards had several outstanding outings in the last couple months of the season, and the Angels are hoping for good things from lefties Hector Santiago and Tyler Skaggs. RELIEF PITCHING The bullpen let down the Angels, and was one of the main reasons they finished below .500 last year. With 37 saves in 41 opportunities and 98 strikeouts in 68.2 innings last year, Ernesto Frieri seems to fit the part of a dominant closer. But his 3.80 ERA and 11 home runs allowed are too high. He’s added a change-up that he hopes will be a good complement to his power stuff. Joe Smith came over in free agency after three straight solid seasons in Cleveland. Sean Burnett is still getting healthy after pitching in just 13 games in 2013. MANAGING Entering his 15th season with the Angels, Mike Scioscia is the longest-tenured manager in baseball. Last year was the first time the media began fanning the flame on a possible hot seat, but he remains at the helm in spite of his teamt missing the playoffs four consecutive seasons. Owner Arte Moreno brought back Scioscia and GM Jerry DiPoto, who has overseen offseasons with big free agent splashes that didn’t amount to October baseball. This past offseason he showed more restraint, with no big free agent signings and a trade of Mark Trumbo for Skaggs to shore up the rotation. DATE OPPONENT TIME Mon, 6/30 at White Sox 5:10p Tue, 7/1 at White Sox 5:10p Wed, 7/2 at White Sox 5:10p Thu, 7/3 Astros 7:05p Fri, 7/4 Astros 6:05p Sat, 7/5 Astros 7:05p Sun, 7/6 Astros 12:35p Mon, 7/7 Blue Jays 7:05p Tue, 7/8 Blue Jays 7:05p Wed, 7/9 Blue Jays 12:35p Thu, 7/10 at Rangers 5:05p Fri, 7/11 at Rangers 5:05p Sat, 7/12 at Rangers 4:15p Sun, 7/13 at Rangers 12:05p Fri, 7/18 Mariners 7:05p Sat, 7/19 Mariners 6:05p Sun, 7/20 Mariners 12:35p Mon, 7/21 Orioles 7:05p Tue, 7/22 Orioles 7:05p Wed, 7/23 Orioles 7:05p Thu, 7/24 Tigers 7:05p Fri, 7/25 Tigers 7:05p Sat, 7/26 Tigers 6:05p Sun, 7/27 Tigers TBD Tue, 7/29 at Orioles 4:05p Wed, 7/30 at Orioles 4:05p Thu, 7/31 at Orioles 4:05p DATE OPPONENT TIME Fri, 8/1 at Rays 4:10p Sat, 8/2 at Rays 4:10p Sun, 8/3 at Rays 10:40a Mon, 8/4 at Dodgers 7:10p Tue, 8/5 at Dodgers 7:10p Wed, 8/6 Dodgers 7:05p Thu, 8/7 Dodgers 7:05p Fri, 8/8 Red Sox 7:05p Sat, 8/9 Red Sox 6:05p Sun, 8/10 Red Sox TBD Tue, 8/12 Phillies 7:05p Wed, 8/13 Phillies 7:05p Fri, 8/15 at Rangers 5:05p Sat, 8/16 at Rangers 5:05p Sun, 8/17 at Rangers 12:05p Mon, 8/18 at Red Sox 4:10p Tue, 8/19 at Red Sox 4:10p Wed, 8/20 at Red Sox 4:10p Thu, 8/21 at Red Sox 4:10p Fri, 8/22 at Athletics 7:05p Sat, 8/23 at Athletics 6:05p Sun, 8/24 at Athletics 1:05p Mon, 8/25 Marlins 7:05p Tue, 8/26 Marlins 7:05p Wed, 8/27 Marlins 7:05p Thu, 8/28 Athletics 7:05p Fri, 8/29 Athletics 7:05p DATE OPPONENT TIME Sat, 8/30 Athletics 6:05p Sun, 8/31 Athletics 12:35p Tue, 9/2 at Astros 5:10p Wed, 9/3 at Astros 5:10p Thu, 9/4 at Twins 5:10p Fri, 9/5 at Twins 5:10p Sat, 9/6 at Twins 4:10p Sun, 9/7 at Twins 11:10a Tue, 9/9 at Rangers 5:05p Wed, 9/10 at Rangers 5:05p Thu, 9/11 at Rangers 5:05p Fri, 9/12 Astros 7:05p Sat, 9/13 Astros 6:05p Sun, 9/14 Astros 12:35p Mon, 9/15 Mariners 7:05p Tue, 9/16 Mariners 7:05p Wed, 9/17 Mariners 7:05p Thu, 9/18 Mariners 7:05p Fri, 9/19 Rangers 7:05p Sat, 9/20 Rangers 6:05p Sun, 9/21 Rangers TBD Mon, 9/22 at Athletics 7:05p Tue, 9/23 at Athletics 7:05p Wed, 9/24 at Athletics 12:35p Fri, 9/26 at Mariners 7:10p Sat, 9/27 at Mariners 6:10p Sun, 9/28 at Mariners 1:10p
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