Why Can't The Angels Accept Reality?

The Angels are one third through the 2026 regular season with a 17-34 record, having won exactly one third of their games. They began with a 11-10 start after a win on April 17, supported by Jose Soriano’s strong early performance and a breakout. That momentum faded, with only six wins in their past 30 games and one win in their past 10. The season outcome aligns with low offseason expectations, including reader grades and projections ranging from 66 to 72 wins. The team has not had a winning record since 2015, and its playoff drought is expected to reach 12 years. Manager Kurt Suzuki is a rookie on a one-year deal, with frequent managerial turnover under owner Arte Moreno.

"The Angels have won only six of their past 30 games and just one of their past 10. The end result doesn't come as a major surprise, although it's nevertheless jarring when any team rattles off a stretch with only six wins in 30 games. Still, the Angels didn't enter the season expected to be contenders. MLBTR readers overwhelmingly voted that their offseason was worthy of a D or F grade. FanGraphs projected what now looks like a charitable 72 wins. PECOTA had them down at 66 wins, which now also looks like it could finish on the high end."

"The Angels will extend their playoff drought to 12 years when the current season concludes. They haven't had a winning record since 2015. Owner Arte Moreno has cycled through seven managers since their last winning season. Current skipper Kurt Suzuki is in a virtually unprecedented situation: a rookie manager on a one-year deal. There's a chance that 2027 will bring an eighth manager in 12 years."

"To hear Suzuki tell it, the Angels are right on the cusp of turning things around. Sam Blum of The Athletic asked him last week whether he felt this was a cold stretch or reflective of where the Angels are as an organization. Suzuki replied: "I truly do believe that we've hit a cold stretch. Even that being said, there are a lot of games where we're in it. We're one swing away, maybe one pitch away,""

Read at MLB Trade Rumors