For the second year in a row, Albert Pujols returns to Albert Pujols form in June after a slow start to the season. In 2012, he posted a .243/.290/.408 slash line through May 31, following up with a .326/.409/.568 June. This season, the slash line through May 31 was a bit better, .246/.318/.415, but still not Albert Pujols. With four hits Monday night, Albert is now .333/.391/.567 this June. That was his fourth multi-hit game in his last five starts, and his fifth of the month.

Both seasons, the slow starts by the star slugger helped put the Angels in an early hole. They nearly climbed out last season, and we’ll see if they are capable of making another run. They are ten games back, but that gap can be closed this early in the season.