The Los Angeles Angels hit a bit of a mediocre patch to their season, settling in the American League West behind both the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros.
Early in the year, it was their starting pitching that carried most of the load, allowing for the offense to scratch their way to a few runs, which was enough to win games. However, that side has cooled, and the Angels have been needing production from Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout to guide them back.
Trout’s first month of the season was on-par with career numbers, posting a 168 wRC+ with seven homers. But from May 1 leading into play on May 17, he endured a 10-for-56 stretch, with just one home run and two RBI.
According to Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register, Trout is frustrated by his cold streak and feels he’s letting the team down:
“It’s frustrating because you’re getting a lot of chances and you’re not coming through for your team,” Trout said. “That’s what it comes down to. As a competitor, you want to go out there and do your best and be your best. Sometimes things aren’t right. It’s tough.”
Of course, Trout has come to expect a standard of play from himself, and fans know what he’s capable of doing. While Trout is working to get out of it, he isn’t exactly sure what the issue is:
“If I could pinpoint it, I could fix it by now,” Trout said before Wednesday’s game. “Some at-bats I feel good and some I’m just under balls.”
Trout has since homered on back-to-back days, an opposite-field shot on Wednesday and a laser shot on an outside cut-fastball on Thursday. The 31-year-old overcame a delicate back injury last year and has since shown he’s capable of staying on the field:
“Actually this is the best I’ve ever felt,” he said. “It’s a little frustrating because you feel like you’re getting a lot of opportunities and you’re not coming through. But it’s baseball. It’s a long season. Things will turn around.”
Trout has played in 42 of the Angels’ 45 games this season, doing everything he can to help the team win games. Still, the Angels will need his offense to pick up sooner rather than later.
Angels receive good news on Jared Walsh; Anthony Rendon on IL
The Angels recently placed Anthony Rendon on the injured list for a groin strain, but good news out of Triple-A could spell the return of first baseman Jared Walsh as he continues to improve in his rehab.
Rendon’s groin strain isn’t initially considered serious, and the 32-year-old believes he won’t require more than some time off.
Walsh on the other hand is on the return path, posting extremely solid numbers with the Salt Lake Bees.
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