By Joe Smith, Times Staff Writer
Monday, April 4, 2011
>>UP NEXT
vs. Angels
Today and Wednesday
What's new: The Angels, coming off their first losing season since 2003, dropped three of four in Kansas City to open the year. Anaheim didn't get ex-Rays LF Carl Crawford in the offseason but acquired slugging CF Vernon Wells, as well as RH reliever Scott Downs (on the DL). The Angels are still missing 1B Kendrys Morales (left ankle surgery), with CF Reggie Willits (calf) and RHP Joel Pineiro (shoulder) also on the DL. DH Bobby Abreu has seven hits in his first four games.
Connections: Manager Joe Maddon is a former Angels bench coach and first-base coach George Hendrick a former Angels player and coach. Bullpen coach Bobby Ramos was a former Angels coach. INF Sean Rodriguez was an Angel, as was RHP Joel Peralta, and Angels LHP Scott Kazmir is an ex-Ray.
Series history: The Angels lead the all-time series 74-45, 32-27 at Tropicana Field. The Rays took the series last year 5-4, losing two of three at the Trop.
Joe Smith, Times staff writer