Last-Place Angels Tumble from 26-1 to 75-1 in AL Pennant Odds

• The Los Angeles Angels took a big step towards building their future by signing Mike Trout to the richest contract in MLB history
• The Angels enjoyed a six-game win streak earlier this month, but have struggled since briefly losing Trout to injury
• Now buried in last place in the AL West, the Angels’ prospects of returning to postseason contention this season look bleak

The Los Angeles Angels snapped a six-game losing streak by eking out a narrow 8-6 victory over the visiting Seattle Mariners on Sunday afternoon. However, the effects of the Angels’ early-season slide were already being felt on the MLB futures, where Los Angeles now sits as a lengthy +7500 bet to win the American League Pennant.

2019 AL Pennant Odds

*Odds taken 04/22/19

Trout Signing Lifting Hopes of Angels Fans

Winners of 80 games in each of the past two seasons, the Angels raised the morale of fans by locking up superstar Mike Trout to the richest contract in MLB history just prior to the start of the campaign, which they started as a +2600 wager on the AL pennant odds.

Mike Trout turned in multi-hit performances in four of his first 12 outings, and powered the Angels to a respectable 6-6 start.

A seven-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP, Trout looks set to be an Angel for the remainder of his career after agreeing to a 12-year deal that will net $430 million. The 27-year-old responded with a strong start to the campaign, turning in multi-hit performances in four of his first 12 outings, and powering the club to a respectable 6-6 start.

However, a groin injury that sidelined Trout for three games earlier this month coincided with the end of the Angels’ hot start. And with the club still missing a number of regulars from the lineup, most notably Japanese phenom Shohei Ohtani, and divisional rivals showing signs of shaking off poor starts, there is little reason to expect the Angels to emerge as a legitimate World Series threat this season.

Ohtani Remains on Long Road Back to Full Health

Hampered by a wonky elbow last season, Ohtani underwent Tommy John surgery last October, and is not expected to return to the lineup until at least mid-May. The 24-year-old connected on 22 home runs while hitting .285 last season, and also amassed a 4-2 record in 10 starts on the mound.

Video of Shohei Ohtani taking BP with his teammates for the first time since Tommy John surgery on Oct. 1 pic.twitter.com/umNdwWA6Bo

— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) April 19, 2019

However, the Angels currently have no plans to use their budding superstar in a pitching or defensive role this season, instead allowing him to rehab while serving as the club’s primary designated hitter.

The Angels currently have no plans to use Ohtani in a pitching or defensive role this season.

That’s bad news for an Angels pitching staff that has been beaten up during the club’s recent slide. Los Angeles has surrendered over seven runs per game during the 1-6 run it took into Monday’s series opener with the New York Yankees at Angels Stadium, and Angels starters own a meagre 2-9 record through the club’s first 22 outings of the season.

Angels' Justin Upton to miss 8-12 weeks with toe injury. https://t.co/ATw15sCUAj pic.twitter.com/bavrfDC9OB

— theScore (@theScore) March 30, 2019

In addition to Ohtani, the Angels remain without injured starting pitchers Tyler Skaggs and Andrew Heaney, who combined to record 17 victories last season, while veteran outfielder Justin Upton, who connected on 30 home runs last season, started the current campaign on the IL with a toe injury that is expected to keep him out of action until at least June.

Astros Still the Team to Beat in the AL

While a trip to the World Series was an ambitious goal for the Angels this season, even at full health, the club’s injury woes combined with the improved form of divisional rivals will likely relegate Los Angeles to also-ran status for a fifth straight year.

https://twitter.com/thepopgun/status/1119335712468422656

A sub-.500 club in each of the past three seasons, the Angels are not prepared to compete with a Houston Astros squad that is coming off a 10-game win streak, and has vaulted to a massive -750 favorite to win a third straight AL West title.

Fast starts by the Seattle Mariners, who have vaulted to a +1200 wager to win the AL Pennant, as well as the Texas Rangers, further complicate any bid by the Angels to return to postseason contention in the AL West.

Pick: Houston Astros (+225)