What To Watch Tonight (7/11/08)

LA Angels (55-37) @ Oakland Athletics (50-42), 7:05 PM, FSN West

The Angels, already possessing a five-game lead in the AL West over the second-place A’s, look to increase that lead starting tonight in the first game of a three-game series at McAfee Coliseum. The Angels hitting has been dramatically better of late, as they are 6-3 in July and averaging over six runs in that span. These performances come after the Angels went 1-4 to end June, scoring no more than one run in any of those games. Jon Garland will look to build on his 8-5 record, and has a great chance to do so since he is going up against rookie pitcher Sean Gallagher, recently acquired from the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade. Gallagher went 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA in ten starts and two relief  apperances for the Cubs.

Prediction: Angels

Florida Marlins (48-44) @ LA Dodgers (45-47), 7:40 PM, KCAL 9

Hanley Ramirez, by far the best shortstop in the MLB this year, will try to build on his 5-for-6 game last night that included a home run. Hanley is batting .421 with six homers in the past twelve games.  The guy is even starting in the All-Star game on Tuesday night. After dropping their last four games against the Dodgers, the Marlins won last night, 5-4. The starting pitchers will be Chris Volstad for Florida, making his first ever start, and Eric Stults in his fifth start this year. Once Chan Ho Park gave up the home run to Hanley last night, the Marlins broke a franchise record by homering in twelve consecutive games. They still lead the MLB in home runs.

Prediction: Dodgers

Prediction Accuracy: 50% (2-2)