Going winless the primary full weekend of Cactus League spring coaching is hardly a motive to sound the alarms.
That mentioned, this could possibly be a protracted season for the Angels as they appear to rebound from dropping one of many MLB’s greatest stars. The departure of Shohei Ohtani to the rival Los Angeles Dodgers was an enormous and but not sudden blow.
Coming off of a 73-89 document a season in the past, expectations for the Angels beneath new supervisor Ron Washington are unsurprisingly not excessive. Let’s take a look at some key questions surrounding the group.
Will Mike Trout ship?
Whereas potential Corridor of Famer Mike Trout nonetheless wears Angels colours, his profession has been dotted by accidents currently.
In 2023, Trout performed in solely 82 video games after enjoying in solely 119, 36 and 53 video games within the previous three seasons, respectively.
Ending with 18 dwelling runs, 44 RBI and a middling .263 batting common, he had a season to neglect. The three-time AL MVP (2014, 2016, 2019) is just 32 dwelling runs shy of 400 for his profession.
Is Anthony Rendon’s head within the recreation?
Third baseman Anthony Rendon may also be counted on to ship for the group to compete within the AL West. Rendon, who received a World Collection ring as a key part of Washington’s 2019 group, has been injury-plagued since touchdown in Southern California.
Rendon additionally made headlines earlier this month concerning his dedication to enjoying baseball, telling the media, “It is by no means been a prime precedence for me.” He has not performed in additional than 60 video games in a season since coming to the Angels in 2020.
Washington defended Rendon, telling the Orange County Register, “He was requested what was vital and all he mentioned was his household and religion. He’s right here. He’s getting there to take this journey with us by way of this 162-game baseball season. He wasn’t saying he doesn’t care about baseball. He’s right here. He’s fired up.”
Who emerges because the ace?
Relating to the pitching workers, search for Patrick Sandoval (7-13 in 2023), Tyler Anderson (6-6) or Reid Detmers (4-10) to take the hill for the opener. Solely the departed Ohtani had a profitable document (10-5) within the rotation final season.
A stable pitching workers to maintain the Angels in video games, particularly if Trout and Rendon battle to remain wholesome, is of utmost significance for the group to make noise in a aggressive division.
How does the 2024 schedule form up?
Following journeys to Baltimore and Miami, respectively, the Angels have their dwelling opener on April 5 versus Boston.
Whereas the playoffs are usually not out of the query, the opposite Los Angeles baseball group wants rather a lot to fall into place for it to benefit the identical variety of optimistic headlines the Dodgers are more likely to get.
