Not much was expected from the Los Angeles Angels after losing Shohei Ohtani in free agency.
They were a mediocre team with the best player in the league, so their prospects without him are not much different.
The facts are the facts, though, and while expecting the Angels to contend might be unrealistic, there is an undeniable reality: they are playing well at the moment, and they are leading the always tough AL West.
They dominated the Miami Marlins once again on Wednesday and are now 4-2 on the young season.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale notes that they will be playing their home opener while leading their division.
“The Los Angeles Angels sweep the Marlins, and will fly home to Anaheim for their home opener sitting in first place in the powerful AL West,” he tweeted.
The Los Angeles Angels sweep the Marlins, and will fly home to Anaheim for their home opener sitting in first place in the powerful AL West.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 3, 2024
The Angels have enjoyed top-notch production by Taylor Ward, who hit his second double and third home run of the year on Wednesday.
Three-time MVP and team leader Mike Trout also has three homers on the year, and the two sluggers appear to be leading an underrated offense that also has talented young players such as Logan O’Hoppe, Zach Neto, and Nolan Schanuel.
They still can’t count on the struggling Anthony Rendon, and their pitching is mediocre at best.
For now, however, LA is enjoying a quality stretch of baseball and fans deserve to soak it in while it lasts.
The Angels still lack the top-end pitching and offensive quality and depth to seriously fight for a postseason spot, though.
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