MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY: TAMPA BAY AT ANGEL STADIUM THURSDAY THROUGH AUG. 16: ORIOLES AT BALTIMORE

MONDAY THROUGH WEDNESDAY: TAMPA BAY AT ANGEL STADIUM

THURSDAY THROUGH AUG. 16: ORIOLES AT BALTIMORE

So who went ahead of Tim Lincecum and Clayton Kershaw in the 2006 draft? Well, one of those picks was infielder Evan Longoria, who Tampa Bay took at No. 3. But if Longoria had been doing the picking, he may have selected the Angels since he grew up about a half an hour’s drive from Anaheim as a big fan of the team. And as a major league third baseman, he has become a big fan of their stadium. “It’s pretty much like playing in your own backyard,” said Longoria, who had six extra-base hits, including two home runs, in a three-game visit to Angel Stadium last season. He was only two months into his rookie season then, but he’ll return this week as the reigning American League rookie of the year and a two-time All-Star who was tied for second in the AL with 81 runs batted in through Friday. The Rays sent five players to the All-Star game last month, including their entire starting infield.

-- Kevin Baxter