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Y E S T E R D A Y…

Athletics 2, Angels 1: Tonight was one of those nights when the Angels’ aggressive style helped lead to their downfall. Three times (twice by Chone Figgins) the Angels ran into outs on the basepaths, killing two rallies before they could even start. And on a night when neither Vlad or Garret Anderson played, the team needed every opportunity it could get. So since those opportunities were missed, it is Jered Weaver who gets a loss (10-10 now on the season) he ultimately didn’t deserve. Seems Jered’s gotten a lot of those this season.

Phillies 5, Dodgers 0: No bueno. That’s what Dodger fans must be saying to themselves after the Phillies completed their four-game sweep of the Dodgers last night. LA was held scoreless by Philly’s Brett Myers, who was effective, but hardly dominant. The Dodgers managed nine hits off Myers and 13 total, but somehow managed to not score a single run (the most hits without a run since 1928). I haven’t seen that many blown opportunities since Eric Gagne was closing. This most recent lackluster performance caused Larry Bowa to declare that the team was playing “like a team 30 games out.” Ouch, Dodger players. He basically just called you all the Pittsburgh Pirates.

T O D A Y…

Athletics at Angels (7:05 p.m. PST, FSN): The Angels will try for win number 80 once again tonight behind the big Texan, John Lackey. The Angels better have gotten their baserunning hiccups out of their system — Oakland’s starter tonight, Greg Smith, has one of the better pick off moves in the game.

Dodgers at Nationals (4:05 p.m. PST, PRIME HD): The Dodgers are probably more than a little excited to see the Nationals in the opposing dugout tonight. Nothing gets a team back on track better than a last place team. The Dodgers also have the right guy on the mound, Derek Lowe, to help them shake off what was a pretty brutal sweep from the Phillies.

How will both teams’ recent struggles affect their place in our Power Rankings? Check back later today to see how far (if it all) Ali thinks the Dodgers and Angels have fallen.

N E W S W O R T H Y…

• Vladimir Guerrero will not play in at least two and maybe not at all during this series vs. Oakland.
• Rick Neuheisel stated he hopes UCLA will be able to “stay in the game” vs. Tennesee on Monday. Really, Rick? You were hired so UCLA could stay in the game.
• USC QB Mark Sanchez probably won’t play the entire game in the opener vs. Virginia.
• Despite inconsistencies, Jonathan Broxten will remain the Dodgers closer.

C O L U M N S…

• K-Rod for MVP? Conventional wisdom around baseball is that there’s just no way a closer deserves MVP. The uncertain nature of the position and thus playing time just doesn’t lend itself to the award. Cy Young? Maybe. MVP? No way. Mark Whicker of the OC Register doesn’t think the idea is so crazy and thinks K-Rod’s potential record breaking season may be the one to break that line of thinking.
• SportsHubLA Column of the Day: Shocking news! A silly little thing like winning games is getting in the way of the Dodgers NL West title. Many believed that once the Dodgers acquired uber-slugger Manny Ramirez, this division was locked up. And leave it to TJ Simers to remind people that is absolutely not the case. Simers also lets everyone know that if the Dodgers blow this division, there needs to be some serious evaluation in Dodgertown.

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