The Los Angeles Angels are not off to a good start without Shohei Ohtani, losing two games by a combined 17 runs. Following their latest loss on Saturday, new manager Ron Washington called a team meeting to remind the players of the importance of staying focused on the long season ahead.
While team meetings are typically held when a team is struggling, it is unusual to have one so early in the season. Washington, who replaced Phil Nevin in the offseason, likely felt it was necessary after two consecutive blowout losses. Despite his optimism about the long season, it’s clear that the Angels have talent deficiencies that need to be addressed.
The Angels have not had a winning season since 2015, despite having star players like Ohtani and Mike Trout on their roster. Their lack of success can be attributed to a lack of roster improvements during the offseason. While they mainly focused on their bullpen with only a few minor additions to their position player group, their shortcomings made them unlikely to be competitive this season.
Forecast models project the Angels to win around 72 games, indicating that they are unlikely to contend for a playoff spot. It’s possible that Washington will have to call more team meetings throughout the season to keep the players motivated and focused despite their struggles.
In conclusion, life without Shohei Ohtani has not been easy for the Los Angeles Angels as they have lost two games by a combined 17 runs. Despite this shaky start, new manager Ron Washington reminded his players of focusing on the long-term goals and staying on track despite roster shortcomings that need to be addressed. With forecast models projecting them winning only around 72 games and being unlikely to contend for a playoff spot, it seems like another year without post-season success for this talented team.
