After a difficult, but not unexpected loss (with Trevor Bell on the mound) against the Rangers, the Angels find themselves 7 games back in the division and 9 games back in the wild card race. However, the Angels received some good news with the acquisition of Diamondbacks ace Dan Haren. The Trifecta of Jered Weaver, Haren, and Ervin Santana should keep the rest of the division off balance not only this year, but for the next few seasons.

Most commentators believe this was a steal for the Angels, but it didn’t come free. Our beloved pitcher Joe Saunders has been sent to Arizona after spending 8 years in the Angels organization. His interview was difficult to watch as you could tell he really loved the Angels organization. But in my view, this move will be the best thing for him. He has really struggled these last two seasons, and although Chase Field is a hitters ballpark, a national league relocation should help his ERA. He also lives in Arizona, so the Diamondbacks organization will feel like home soon enough.

So what does this mean for the Angels in the last two months of the season?

Many have shown a legitimate concern for Dan Haren’s 4.60 ERA this season. However, in Haren’s other full seasons, his era only breached 4 once and his strikeout total has increased every full season he’s been in the majors. Also, his fly balls are leaving the stadium at an unusually high rate with 23 home runs given up this season. This is a trend that should not continue, especially at Angels Stadium. He has also averaged 221 innings the past five seasons while only walking an average of 46 batters a season. His K/BB ratio over those five seasons is also one of the best in the league at 4.17. Other names with these kind of numbers include Roy Halladay and C.C. Sabathia.

But even with this addition, the Angels still find themselves 7 games behind, what seems to be, a very good Texas team. Can this gap be closed? There is no doubt that the addition of Dan Haren will help, but let’s take a took at the competing schedules.

It doesn’t get any easier for either team, but the Angels do have a slight edge. Texas will face 25 above .500 teams and 9 below .500 teams, while the Angels will face 21 above .500 teams and 11 below .500 teams.

So for argument sake, let’s give the Angels 4 games for strength of schedule and 3 games for the addition of Dan Haren. What does this mean? Get ready for a stressful September Angels fans.