The Los Angeles Angels lost Tuesday night’s game against the Oakland Athletics, but it was just a minor bump in the road for a team that has been scorching hot as of late.
Before that loss, the Angels, who have been without their best player Mike Trout for several weeks now, had won six straight games.
They are currently 33-34, only one game away from being a .500 team.
Considering they were 27-33 last week, it has been quite the turnaround.
It has been a team effort, but a few players have been particularly influential in the recent success.
Here are three reasons why the Angels are still hanging around in the American League West.
3. Ohtani’s Two-Way Prowess
Shohei Ohtani has been a major force in keeping the Angels relatively close to contention.
In the last month of play, he has pitched 21.2 frames and has a 3.74 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP.
When healthy, he is the team’s best pitcher: for the season, Ohtani has a 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, with 68 strikeouts in 47.1 innings.
Additionally, he has been contributing more than ever with the bat, as well.
In the last month, he has been stellar from the batter’s box: in 72 at-bats, he has 20 hits, six of which have left the yard.
He has 15 runs and 17 RBI over that timeframe, with three steals as the cherry on top.
Ohtani is among the league leaders in home runs, with 18, and has a .954 OPS.
He has been phenomenal, and his two-way prowess has been crucial in keeping things afloat until Trout returns.
Maybe the Angels can make a postseason run after all.
2. Jared Walsh’s Breakout
At 26 years old, some people chalked up Jared Walsh’s excellent 2020 performance as a fluke, even though he has raked in the minor leagues for years.
However, he is proving that he not only belongs in the bigs, but he can also be among the very best sluggers in the AL.
Walsh, as of Wednesday afternoon, has a .291/.358/.560 line with 15 home runs.
Jared Walsh – Los Angeles Angels (15) Solo. pic.twitter.com/X371poQFVe
— MLB HR Tracker (@hr_mlb) June 16, 2021
He has been a major run-producer this season, driving in 46 teammates and projecting well over 100.
His .918 OPS is one of the best marks in the team and proof that he has game-changing power and considerable on-base ability.
1. The Return To Full Health Of Anthony Rendon And Max Stassi
Third baseman Anthony Rendon and catcher Max Stassi spent some time on the injured list.
As they get more at-bats, they have been more productive, and their recent hot streaks have coincided with the team’s recent surge.
Rendon is still slashing just .241/.314/.365 for the season, but is batting .316 with a .943 OPS in the last week, with one homer and seven RBI.
Stassi, meanwhile, has much better-looking numbers, .323/.397/.615 with five homers in 72 plate appearances.
He has been red-hot in the last month, however, hitting .389 with a 1.296 OPS and four round-trippers.
All he needed was health: he finally left behind concussion issues after a couple of weeks on the shelf.
.@Starlingmart: 14 H, .500/.548/.750@MaxStassi10: 3 HR, 9 RBI, .455/.478/1.000
Your @chevrolet Players of the Week! pic.twitter.com/Dsx4uRkxqg
— MLB (@MLB) June 14, 2021
If these Angels keep performing, they may have a chance at making a push for the playoffs once Trout returns.
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