Seattle? Is it 1995?

Now with less than two months left to go in the regular season it seems remarkable that we are still fighting for some breathing room even though Oakland is 13 ½ games back entering today’s play.

Before the season started it seemed that the Angels would again be challenged by Oakland as the two teams have dominated this decade. But with a new coaching staff, a few new players and a rash of injuries the A's ahve struggled.

The team that is challenging us is no other than the 1990's dominant Seattle Mariners. But this team does not have Randy Johnson, Ken Griffey Jr., or Alex Rodriguez. Nope this team has Jeff Weaver who looked closer to being a starting pitcher in an Independent league not the American League at the beginning of the season. But over his last ten starts is starting to resemble the pitcher he was with the St. Louis Cardinals in the payoffs last year.

They also have another former Angel, center fielder, Jose Guillen whom was a clubhouse problem while in Anaheim. Guillen is batting just .287 but still he has some power and a desire to kill everyone whom he thinks wronged him in Anaheim.

The only good thing about Seattle is that their first baseman Sexson is batting an abysmal .210 but he still has the home run potential (19) that still brings fear into everyone’s minds. And even though closer JJ Putz almost blew the All-star game save before Frankie threw a class A gem, I am being facetious, he still is leading the AL in saves just ahead of former Angel farm hand BobbyJenks.

These last months are going to be tough because we will be facing teams that have a combined winning percentage above .500 while Seattle will be playing a schedule that is far easier with the teams combined win percentage a shade below .500.

The leg of baseball that we face is going to be murderous. Last time we were in Boston they kicked the living sheot out of us. And Toronto is no easier. With Seattle playing the free falling Twins it looks as though we will have to play like we did back in '02 when we kept pace with Oakland down the stretch when they had their long winning streak that reached over twenty wins.