Angels close in on AL West champion Rangers

Just recently, in a game between the Los Angeles Angels and the Texas Rangers, the Angels inched ahead in the standings by defeating their opponents on the field. They are now just three and a half games away from the Rangers' lead in the American League West.

Usually, the Angels are the underdog team. Just like something straight out of a college wonder-team of students at a university who defeat their rivals, the Angels have done considerable damage to the Yankees, who have usually just bowled over anyone they play.

Whether they were the California Angels, or the Anaheim Angels, the team cannot escape their underdog spirit (in Orange County or Los Angeles County!). The Rangers have been great as of late, taking up division leads like it was nothing.

Now, the Angels have finally secured a truly underdog position, rising to the top after streaks of wins to attempt a grab at the Rangers' coveted lead position. What will develop as the two teams race to the top? Will either of them still be at the top when the season ends?

As the season passes on, we shall all see.

Pitcher Oswalt agrees to a year for the Rangers

News on the official Texas Rangers website reports that the Rangers franchise has signed a one-year agreement with pitcher Roy Oswalt, former Phillies player. Oswalt has been an All-Star pitcher three times in his major league career, so it is clear he is no novice. An educated master of the sport, one might say. I'm sure the Rangers will find him great for the team.

Though his former team from Philadelphia did show interest in keeping Oswalt, it appears the Rangers chose to go with him instead. Whether or not the Phillies intended to make an offer, or if the Rangers simply bought the pitcher out, is unknown.

"The deal, reportedly worth as much as $5 million, could help the Rangers reach the World Series for the third year in a row. The two-time defending American League champions lost to San Francisco in 2010 and St. Louis in 2011.

Several clubs had shown interest in Oswalt, including the Philadelphia Phillies, for whom he went 9-10 last season with a 3.69 earned-run average in 139 innings over 23 starts.

In 11 major league seasons with the Phillies and Houston, Oswalt is 159-93 with a 3.21 earned-run average."

-Yahoo! MLB News