There might not be a more frustrating team to follow in MLB than the Los Angeles Angels.
Ever since they won the World Series in 2002 and had a few competitive seasons in that decade, they ceased to be actors in the postseason.
They have had Mike Trout star since 2012, and Shohei Ohtani since 2018, yet their last playoff appearance came in 2014 and was a first-round exit.
The team around the two stars is just mediocre, for the lack of a better word.
On Wednesday, the Angels played the Tigers, and the outcome of the game was all too familiar for fans.
“Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani each hit a home run in today’s game. The Angels lost 4-5 to the Tigers,” MLB Metrics tweeted.
Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani each hit a home run in today’s game.
The Angels lost 4-5 to the Tigers.
— MLB Metrics (@MLBMetrics) September 7, 2022
The Tigers, the second-worst team in the American League, defeated the Angels despite home runs from Trout and Ohtani.
The Angels Are Painfully Predictable
We have lost count of how many times that exact scenario has presented itself in the last couple of seasons.
Despite attempts to shore up their pitching throughout the entire organization, the Angels are third in the AL West with an extremely disappointing 60-77 record.
They looked like contenders when they opened the year with a 27-17 record, but things fell apart in a hurry and manager Joe Maddon was fired.
Phil Nevin hasn’t been able to transform the team, which is to be expected because much of their issues stem from their lack of good player development, talent identification, and coaching.
The team will need to improve in these areas in the foreseeable future before they make the leap to true playoff contenders.
With new ownership in the horizon, it may be possible in the not-so-distant future.
NEXT: MLB Analyst Shares Legendary Shohei Ohtani Comparisons