The Los Angeles Angels (11-20) currently sit in fourth place in the A.L. West with a winning percentage of .355 (third worst in the American League).
To say that the team has underachieved through the first five weeks of the season would be a giant understatement. Prior to the 2013 campaign, fans and analysts alike had the Halos slated as true World Series contenders.
But winning hasn’t come easy.
When looking at the season statistics, it becomes rather apparent that the Angels pitching staff is the main reason why.
The Angels staff currently has a team ERA and team WHIP of 4.78 and 1.48, respectively, which both rank second worst in all of baseball. They have allowed 129 walks through 31 games, the highest number of any team. In addition, Halo pitchers have had a hard time closing out games, converting on only four out of nine save opportunities.
If the Angels want to be playing meaningful games throughout the summer, the aforementioned numbers need to improve.
On offense, the Angels have been inconsistent at best. While Mark Trumbo and Howie Kendrick have been pleasant surprises, the rest of the lineup has underachieved.
The following five players need huge turnarounds in order for the Angels to have any chance of making a run at the playoffs this season.