In the first inning Saturday night, Angels leadoff man Yunel Escobar dug into the batter's box and stared out at a starting pitcher who has been, in his career, one of the worst in the game. Escobar took a fastball far outside, fouled off a center-cut fastball, then took three more balls. He jogged to first with a walk, and the Angels had a first-inning rally.
Moments later, the No. 2 hitter, Kole Calhoun, dug into the batter's box and stared out at a starting pitcher who has been, in his career, one of the game's very best.