By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, August 21, 2014

Going into this weekend, the surging Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim have supplanted the Oakland Athletics atop the American League West Division, going 8-2 in their last 10 games, including a 2-0 win Thursday at Boston.

It’s getting interesting in the home stretch in the AL West, as the Athletics are now two games out of first after maintaining a season-long lead. While the Angels have been hot, the A’s are not. Oakland is 2-8 in its last 10, in part allowing Los Angeles to catch up.

This all matters because, with the one-game playoff, it’s paramount to win the division and avoid baseball’s version of Russian Roulette if possible. Oakland leads the Wild Card standings by 5.5 games over Detroit, with Seattle six back.

As the Tigers continue to fade, look for the Mariners to move up to that second Wild Card spot. Also look for newfound intensity to win the division and avoid facing Seattle (and Felix Hernandez) in a nine-inning showdown.

This scenario will help fuel a critical weekend series between the Angels and Athletics at the Coliseum. Sonny Gray will try to snap a personal four-start losing streak on Friday, with Jon Lester and Scott Kasmir the probables for Saturday and Sunday. The Angels will counter with Hector Santiago on Friday, C.J. Wilson on Saturday and Jered Weaver on Sunday.

The Angels’ rotation is suddenly in disarray after starter Garrett Richards suffered a season-ending injury (torn left patellar tendon on Thursday, when his knee gave out while trying to second base in a win over Boston.

Sunday’s game will be the ESPN Sunday Night selection.

During the Saturday A’s-Angels games, the Chevron Stem Zone, an interactive exhibit that explores the scientific concepts of baseball, will be on display behind sections 201 and 217. A fireworks show follows the game. The Stem Zone display is free with a game ticket.