Perhaps the most all-in team around Major League Baseball, the Los Angeles Angels haven’t lived up to the expectations that an aggressive deadline set for them. Since the trade deadline, they’re winless, suffering their most recent defeat on Monday to the San Francisco Giants.
A late-game meltdown from the Angels bullpen was their season of struggles bottled up into one. An area of the team that has been fairly solid, anchored by their All-Star closer, faltered in an 8-3 loss.
They’ve lost four games that were decided by two or fewer runs, which means the Angels could have one or two things swing their way and things go completely different. Manager Phil Nevin discussed how his clubhouse is responding during this rough stretch, per Jeff Fletcher of the O.C. Register:
“They’re upset. I talked to them about it before the game. I know the effort’s there. We’re playing hard. We’re playing baseball, trying to play to win and it’s tough when you lose. You got a room full of guys that want to win in the worst way. Fighting and come up short this many times in a row, in the position we’re in, it hurts. I know what they’re gonna do tomorrow. We’ve got a chance to win a game tomorrow, win a series, and that’s the way we look at it.”
They trail a number of teams in the American League Wild Card race, and their eight game deficit from the third slot seems like a mountain to climb. Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak is enjoying a career year, but even to his admission, having to reset and keep a focus is key:
“I think in this game, the best thing to do is to try to stay as even-keeled as possible,” Moniak said. “Never get too high. Never get too low. I think that’s what we’re trying to look to do right now, is just trying to stay even-keeled. Wake up tomorrow with the mindset of getting our work in and making sure we’re ready to go by game time.”
The Angels wrap up their homestand with two more games against the Giants, before heading to Texas. A tough road trip with division matchups with the Houston Astros and Texas Rangers could be the point that either puts them in a decent striking range, or out of it completely.
Lucas Giolito trying to stay on track after poor first impression with Angels
The prospects given up to acquire Lucas Giolito were a nod to the caliber of player the Angels would be getting in the big right-hander, but through two starts, he’s been anything but ace-quality. Through 21 starts with the Chicago White Sox, Giolito owned a 3.79 ERA with immense upside in his stuff.
Through two starts against the Toronto Blue Jays and Atlanta Braves, he’s allowed 12 earned runs, including five homers in just nine innings.
Make sure to follow Angels Nation on Twitter for all the latest news and updates surrounding the Halos!
