Not exactly a World Series preview (though you never know), but last night’s matchup between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and my local Washington Nats was about as marquee as west coast games get in the middle of July. Two of the games greatest stars (Messrs. Harper and Trout) traded first-inning homers (for those who had to go to bed early), and the Nats got to show off their new bullpen studs, ex-A’s Madson and Doolittle, for those who didn’t mind staying up. It wasn’t the smoothest inning for Sean Doolittle (who seems to have taken over the Nats’ much-beleaguered closing position), but he did end the game getting out Mike Trout and Albert Pujols, arguably the best two hitters in the game the past dozen years.

Stars shine when lights are brightest.

Or something like that.