With only a few weeks left in the 2009-2010 baseball season, only 4 teams remain with hopes still alive at taking hope the World Series trophy. The American League Championship series begins tonight, pitting the defending champion New York Yankees against the upstart Texas Rangers, fresh off their first postseason series win in franchise history. The Yankees are led by some of the same familiar faces who propelled their dynasty throughout the late 90′s, including Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Andy Pettite. Adding some thump to the heart of the order is the Rangers onetime highest paid player Alex Rodriguez, still one of the most feared hitters in the league. Texas is led by midseason acquisition ace Cliff Lee, bolstered by a battalion of bats, namely Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz, two of the best batting and base stealing combo threats in baseball when healthy. (more…)

Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California will play host to its third All-Star Game come July 13, and its first since 1989. In what should be another gripping test of skill between the National League’s and American League’s best, the Angels home to feature a few of their own hometown heroes on the American League squad. Leading the way for the Angels, who look to take a second place AL West stand into the mid-season clubhouse, is starting pitcher Jered Weaver, sporting the team’s best ERA, WHIP and strikeout totals, who hopes to make his first All-Star appearance. On the other side of the ball, center fielder Torii Hunter, a 3 time All-Star already, has been a bright spot in the Angels’ lineup this season, tops in both batting average and RBI, and should make a push for his fourth selection.Recent Midsummer Classics have been overwhelmingly dominated by the American League, winning 12 of the last 13 contests dating back to 1996, with the lone exception of the controversial tie ruling in 2002. After the infamous draw, a 2003 rule entitled the winning side to home field advantage in the World Series, upping the stakes for participants across major league baseball (except of course in cities like Kansas City and Pittsburgh). While the AL has enjoyed overwhelming All-Star success and home field advantage in every series since the rule change, World Series victories have been split almost evenly with a slight AL edge at 4-3.The weekends’ festivities are not limited to the game itself. Kids and parents alike will enjoy the All-Star Fanfest, open from July 9 to July 13 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Featuring interactive games, the chance to meet current baseball players and legends, memorabilia, historic exhibits and more, Fanfest is a yearly favorite for baseball fans of all ages. Events at Angel Stadium kick off on July 11 with the Futures Game, the Legends & Celebrity Softball Game. The Futures Game offers a look at some of baseball’s hottest young prospects while the Legends Game gives younger fans a chance to see the game’s greats take the field in person, along with popular public figures. The night before the game the State Farm Home Run Derby pits the League’s top sluggers against one another in the much hyped annual competition.