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THE MAIN ATTRACTION

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 18, 2008

Like the Rays, the AL West-leading Angels used solid starting pitching and a stingy bullpen to climb to the top of the standings.

In starters Joe Saunders (14-5, 3.07 ERA) and Ervin Santana (13-5, 3.49) and closer Francisco Rodriguez (47 saves), the Angels have three Cy Young candidates, and they very well could have a fourth had Jon Lackey (10-2, 3.22) not missed the first month and a half of the season with a strained triceps.

Now, as they arrive at the Trop for a showdown series featuring division leaders, the Angels feel they have enough offense to carry them to a second World Series title in seven years.

Since Mark Teixeira joined the lineup July 30 following a trade with the Braves, the Angels are averaging more than two runs more per game, giving them a much more potent offense while easing the stress that was being placed on the pitching staff.

Moreover, since the All-Star break, the Angels have swept the Red Sox twice and the Yankees once, winning 11 of 13 during that stretch against the AL East powers, to help the Rays maintain control of the division.

The Angels are scheduled to send Jon Garland (11-7, 4.26), Santana and Jered Weaver (10-9, 4.47) to the hill during the series as they try to keep hold of the best record in the American League.

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