While the start of the Major League Baseball season is on hold until further notice, once play does get underway, the Los Angeles Angels will be looking to make a move into the category of legitimate World Series title contenders. After missing out on the playoffs in each of the last five seasons, the Halos made a couple of big offseason additions they hope will help get them where they want to go. Now, let’s find out what likely lies in store for LA as we wait out the start of some Major League Baseball. Let’s check the MLB Odds and World Series Odds for the Los Angeles Angels 2020 Season.
Los Angeles Angels Analysis Before 2020 Season Start
Los Angeles Angels 2020 MLB Season Odds
Los Angeles Angels Offensive Analysis
The Angels went an uninspiring 72-90 last season despite the fact that superstar outfielder Mike Trout claimed his third AL MVP award by hitting .291 with 45 home runs, 27 doubles and 104 RBI. Highlighting the fact that Los Angeles was completely mediocre last season, the Halos finished the 2019 season in the middle third across the board offensively. Los Angeles ranked 16th in scoring (4.75 rpg), 18th in team batting average (.247), 18th in OPS (.746) and 18th in home runs (220). The only other players with more than 20 home runs were veteran right-fielder Kole Calhoun (33 Hrs), though he batted a tepid .232 and former NL MVP winner Albert Pujols who hit 23 homers while batting just .244.
The good news is that the Angels added 29-year-old superstar third baseman Anthony Rendon after he batted .319 with 34 home runs and 126 RBI for the World Series champion Nationals last season. In addition to that, the Halos will also have two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani back following Tommy John surgery. Unfortunately, LA’s young and mostly unproven players will need to contribute in a big way if they are going to give Trout and Rendon the help they’ll need at the plate in order to thrive in 2020.
Los Angeles Angels Defensive Analysis
The Halos were pretty horrific defensively as well in ranking 25th in team ERA (5.12), 21st in WHIP (21st) and 30th in quality starts (22nd). No starting pitcher managed to win 10 games or more, although the Halos do have some live arms in fire-balling closer Hansel Robels and relievers Keynan Middleton and Ty Buttrey. However, starters, Julio Teheran, Andrew Heaney, Dylan Bundy and Griffin Canning just don’t inspire a whole lot of fear, so I suspect more pitching woes are on the way in 2020.
Los Angeles Angels Offseason Movements
Claimed LHP Jose Quijada off waivers from Miami.
Agreed to terms with C Max Stassi; RHP Cam Bedrosian; RHP Keynan Middleton; LHP Andrew Heaney; RHP Hansel Robles; RHP Noe Ramirez; RHP Dylan Bundy and INF Tommy La Stella on one-year contracts. Agreed to terms with C Max Stassi and RHP Cam Bedrosian to one-year contracts. Agreed to terms C Jason Castro on a one-year contract. Acquired RHP Kyle Keller from Miami for C Jose Estrada.
Los Angeles Angels Prediction
The Angels made a great move by hiring widely-respected manager Joe Maddon who spent more than 30 years in the Angels organization as a minor league player and coach and then MLB coach before going on to lead Tampa Bay and Chicago to World Series titles. The bad news is that Maddon inherits a roster that just doesn’t have enough talent to take down the likes of elite World Series hopefuls like the Yankees or division rival Astros for that matter. Despite their additions of Rendon and Maddon, the Angels are still several position players and pitchers away from challenging for anything of significance.
