The Los Angeles Angels are turning heads in the AL West, and it’s not because of the usual suspects. Not long ago, this team was all about the Shohei Ohtani-Mike Trout show—two superstars carrying the Halo faithful on their backs. But with Ohtani gone and Trout sidelined yet again, you’d think the Angels would be scraping the bottom of the barrel. Think again. These Halos are on a tear, and they’re doing it with a cast of characters that’s proving there’s more to this team than one big name.
On Thursday, the Angels steamrolled the Athletics 10-5 in Sacramento, stretching their winning streak to seven games—their longest since 2022. That’s right, seven straight, part of an 11-5 surge over their last 16 games, including a statement-making sweep of the Dodgers in the Freeway Series last weekend. What makes this run even wilder? They’re doing it without Mike Trout, who’s nursing a bone bruise in his left knee. The guy’s a three-time MVP, the heart and soul of this franchise, and yet the Angels are finding ways to win without him. That’s the kind of grit that gets fans buzzing.
Stepping up big time are guys like catcher Logan O’Hoppe and outfielder Taylor Ward, both sitting on 14 homers this season. They’re bringing the pop, sparking rallies, and keeping the lineup dangerous even without Trout’s bat. The Angels’ offense isn’t exactly lighting up the stat sheet—their .706 OPS puts them smack in the middle of the pack—but they’re getting timely hits and making things happen when it counts. On the flip side, the pitching staff’s 5.01 ERA is among the worst in the league, so this hot streak isn’t about overpowering arms. It’s about heart, hustle, and a clubhouse that’s buying what manager Ron Washington is selling.
Washington, the grizzled veteran skipper, is the secret sauce here. His steady hand has this team playing above its weight class, defying the odds for a squad that was pegged as AL bottom-feeders before the season started. At 24-25, the Angels are still flirting with .500, and projections have them on pace for about 79 wins—not exactly World Series territory, but a far cry from the cellar everyone expected. Washington’s got this group believing in themselves, and you can feel the good vibes radiating out of Anaheim.
With Trout reportedly close to returning, the timing couldn’t be better. Imagine adding his bat to a lineup that’s already clicking—O’Hoppe and Ward holding it down, with a supporting cast that’s starting to find its groove. Sure, the Angels have work to do if they want to climb higher in the AL West, but this seven-game heater is proof they’ve got fight. Washington’s got them playing like a team that’s not ready to roll over, and that’s something Angels fans can hang their hats on, whether Trout’s in the lineup or not.
