<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-ends-hr-drought-no-399-career-mariners');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Mike Trout ends HR drought for No. 399 of career vs. Mariners');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Los-Angeles-Angels-designated-hitter-Mike-Trout-follows-through-on-a-swing.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Mike Trout ends HR drought for No. 399 of career vs. Mariners</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-12T02:05:59-07:00">September 12th, 2:05am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-12T02:05:59-07:00">September 12th, 2:05am</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Though the Los Angeles Angels were beaten 7-6 in a 12-inning thriller against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park on Thursday, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-mvp-declaration-home-run-drought">Mike Trout finally ended a 29-game homerless stretch</a> with the 399th home run of his career. The three-time AL MVP connected off Mariners right-hander Bryce Miller in the fifth inning, a solo shot that tied the game at 4-4 and was Trout’s <a href="https://x.com/Angels/status/1966342444972482983" rel="noopener">21st home run of the season</a>.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">ONE AWAY ☄️</p><p>MIKE TROUT LAUNCHES THE 399th HOMER OF HIS CAREER! <a href="https://t.co/xloLvETfXj">pic.twitter.com/xloLvETfXj</a></p><p>— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) <a href="https://twitter.com/Angels/status/1966342444972482983?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 12, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>Trout had slumped at the plate earlier this year, hitting .235/.368/.426 across 116 games, including 92 as designated hitter after being sidelined from the outfield due to a bone bruise in his twice-surgically repaired right knee. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-rumors-concerned-mike-trout-decline-190-million-contract">Having spent part of the season sidelined with injuries</a>, Trout still reached his 500th plate appearance of the season, a milestone he hadn’t hit since logging 600 PAs during his 2019 MVP campaign. The slugger credited a mechanical adjustment for his return to form, noting that leveling his swing helped him handle high fastballs more effectively.</p><p>Thursday’s homer was Trout’s 56th against the Mariners, the most he has hit against any team, and the most by any active player against a single opponent. He has also belted 34 homers in 95 career games at T-Mobile Park, holding the all-time lead in runs, homers, total bases, extra-base hits, and intentional walks against Seattle.</p><p>The Angels fell behind early, 4-0, in the second inning due to a pair of two-run doubles from J.P. Crawford and Julio Rodríguez, but slowly chipped away. Logan Davidson hit his first major league home run, and Chris Taylor and Luis Rengifo added an RBI in the fourth. Trout’s homer tied the game, and the Angels briefly regained the lead in extra innings when Matthew Lugo singled in the top of the 12th off Jose Castillo.</p><p>Seattle, however, rallied dramatically. Jorge Polanco led off the bottom of the 12th with a double, scoring automatic runner Josh Naylor, followed by a game-winning sacrifice fly from rookie pinch-hitter Harry Ford, giving the Mariners their sixth consecutive win and a 7-6 walk-off victory. Ford’s RBI was his first in four big-league plate appearances. Bryce Miller struck out a career-high 11 batters over 5 2/3 innings, though he allowed four runs as his command diminished late in the outing.</p><p>The win propelled the Mariners (79-68) into a tie with the Houston Astros atop the AL West. Coupled with Houston’s loss to Toronto earlier in the day, Seattle now leads the final AL wild card race by two games over the Texas Rangers. The Mariners have won 17 of their past 20 games at T-Mobile Park since the Trade Deadline and became the first team to play consecutive 12-inning games under MLB’s automatic runner rule.</p><p>Interim Angels manager Ray Montgomery expressed optimism about Trout’s recent swing improvements, acknowledging the importance of carrying momentum into the season’s final stretch. Trout, 34, remains one homer shy of joining the exclusive 400-home run club, with his next milestone likely to come in the coming games.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Mike Trout ends HR drought for No. 399 of career vs. Mariners

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-rumors-concerned-mike-trout-decline-190-million-contract');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels rumors: Organization ‘concerned’ about Mike Trout decline with $190 million left on contract');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Mike-Trout-with-LA-Angels-3.jpg"><figcaption>Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels rumors: Organization ‘concerned’ about Mike Trout decline with $190 million left on contract</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-11T08:51:18-07:00">September 11th, 8:51am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-11T08:51:18-07:00">September 11th, 8:51am</time><address><a>Christopher Hennessy</a>Christopher Hennessy is a Senior Editor at ClutchPoints, with expertise in MLB, NHL and golf. Chris graduated with a journalism degree from Fordham University in 2022. He has also worked at Spectrum News One in Albany, New York and with The Hockey Writers as a New York Islanders writer. Chris is originally from Connecticut and is a lifelong New York Yankees, Islanders, and Jets fan.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Angels are playing out the string of another lost season. They are <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/mlb-stories/2025-mlb-power-rankings-vol-25-dodgers-tigers-lose">69-77, nine games out of the final Wild Card spot</a>, likely extending their playoff drought to 11 seasons. The Angels have Mike Trout on a massive contract, but his poor season is sounding alarm bells within the organization. Sam Blum with The Athletic has more on the <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6617916/2025/09/11/mike-trout-400-home-run-chase-angels/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mlbtw&amp;source=mlbtw" rel="noopener">concern within the organization.</a></p><p>“Mike Trout has been Mike Trout in name only this season. A good player, but nowhere near great. Getting back to himself, his old self, has appeared less and less likely, even though he believes it can happen,” Blum reported. “Trout is owed around $190 million by the Angels through 2030, and there is concern within the organization about further offensive decline.”</p><p>The three-time MVP spoke on his motivations for the remainder of his contract. “I’ve got (five) more years on the contract,” Trout said. “That’s what fuels me. I feel like I’ve got a lot left in my tank. And I know when it’s right, I can be the best.”</p><p>Trout has played 115 games this year, the most since 2022, but the offensive stats are dreadful. His .234 batting average is sixth among Angels players with at least 70 games played. 20 homers is nice, but his power has stalled, with a career-long homerless drought continuing on Wednesday. For $37.1 million per year, Trout is not delivering.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-concerning-mike-trout-injury-update-athletics-clash">Trout has been dealt terrible injury luck in his career</a>, taking him out of the outfield this year. The contract will hamper the Angels’ ability to put a contending team around him, and they have an extra hole to fill with Trout as the DH. While his three MVPs will send him to Cooperstown, his lack of playoff appearances and late-career injuries define the late stages of his career.</p><p>The Angels head to Seattle for three against the Mariners starting on Friday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels rumors: Organization ‘concerned’ about Mike Trout decline with $190 million left on contract

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-mvp-declaration-home-run-drought');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Mike Trout drops defiant MVP declaration amid stunning home run drought');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Los-Angeles-Angels-outfielder-Mike-Trout-27-reacts-after-lining-out.jpg"><figcaption>Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Mike Trout drops defiant MVP declaration amid stunning home run drought</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-11T07:54:12-07:00">September 11th, 7:54am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-11T07:54:12-07:00">September 11th, 7:54am</time><address><a href="https://www.facebook.com/joey.mistretta/" rel="facebook">Joey Mistretta</a>Joey Mistretta is a Dallas Mavericks beat reporter, Dallas Wings beat reporter and lead MLB editor for ClutchPoints. He is originally from Lake Arrowhead, California. Mistretta graduated from Biola University with a degree in broadcast journalism.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>There was a time when Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout was arguably the most consistent player in the sport of baseball. Over the past few years, though, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-mike-trout-scratched-from-lineup-before-royals-game">Trout has dealt with injury concerns</a>. Overall, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-unattractive-career-high-wild-win-twins">Trout’s performance has also declined</a> — possibly a result of dealing with various injuries. He has not hit a home run in 28 games despite crushing 20 across 115 games played in 2025. Trout’s .234/.368/.420 slash line is underwhelming for his standards.</p><p>Regardless, Trout recently <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6617916/2025/09/11/mike-trout-400-home-run-chase-angels/?utm_medium=social&amp;utm_campaign=mlbtw&amp;source=mlbtw" rel="noopener">said he can still return</a> to his former MVP-caliber level of play.</p><p>“No doubt,” Trout said of if he can still play at an MVP level, via Sam Blum of The Athletic. “I know how I am, I know how I think. And I know how I prepare.”</p><p>A three-time MVP and 11-time All-Star, Mike Trout simply isn’t performing at that same superstar level anymore. At 34 years old, it remains to be seen if Trout can get back to playing an elite brand of baseball. At the very least, he has not lost confidence.</p><p>One has to imagine it’s difficult to maintain motivation while playing for a team that can’t get out of its own way. The Angels have not reached the postseason since 2014. However, they have not been bad enough to enter a complete rebuild. As a result, the ball club has treaded water in mediocrity.</p><p>There was hope during the 2010’s decade as stars such as Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani joined Trout in Anaheim. Those teams had some respectable starts to seasons, but longevity never occurred for a full campaign. The Halos were unable to turn things around.</p><p>Mike Trout has appeared in only one postseason in his career. Undoubtedly a future Hall of Famer, Trout will be remembered for his tremendous individual accomplishments and loyalty once he retires in the future. But there is no question that Trout would love to avoid entering the conversation of one of the best players to never win a championship.</p><p>The Angels need to figure out their franchise direction sooner rather than later as Trout enters the back-half of his big league career.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Mike Trout drops defiant MVP declaration amid stunning home run drought

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-rumors-could-mike-scioscia-or-albert-pujols-replace-ron-washington');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels rumors: Could Mike Scioscia or Albert Pujols replace Ron Washington?');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Albert-Pujols-stands-in-the-dugout.jpg"><figcaption>© Robert Hanashiro / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels rumors: Could Mike Scioscia or Albert Pujols replace Ron Washington?</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-10T09:02:47-07:00">September 10th, 9:02am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-10T09:02:47-07:00">September 10th, 9:02am</time><address><a>Zachary Weinberger</a>Zachary Weinberger joined ClutchPoints in October 2023 as a Miami Heat reporter as well as an Associate Editor. He graduated from Florida Atlantic University in 2022 after covering the school's athletic programs since his freshman year at the FAU University Press, where he was a Sports Editor and Editor-in-Chief. He then covered FAU Sports for The Palm Beach Post.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>With the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-unattractive-career-high-wild-win-twins">Los Angeles Angels coming off a win over the Minnesota Twins</a>, the team is without a permanent manager as Ron Washington is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery. While fans discuss <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-los-angeles-free-agents-pursue-offseason">who the Angels will pursue in the offseason</a>, the main priority should be locking down a skipper, with some big names mentioned in a recent report.</p><p>In the latest column from Buster Olney of ESPN, he goes over the potential managerial changes around the MLB, looking at how owner Arte Moreno will handle the situation. Besides leaving the door open for Washington to return in 2026, <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/46200122/mlb-2025-buster-olney-manager-gm-exec-front-office-changes-decisions" rel="noopener">the two names he mentions are</a> former manager for Los Angeles, Mike Scioscia, and even legendary player Albert Pujols.</p><p>“But Moreno’s history of hiring managers suggests that if he doesn’t pick Washington, he’ll want a bigger name. ‘He might be more apt to pick [former Angels manager] Mike Scioscia than some unknown,’ said one rival evaluator,” Olney wrote.</p><p>“Albert Pujols is a big name, but his tenure with the Angels didn’t end well,” Olney continued. “Would Moreno look past that if he needs a new manager? We’ll see.”</p><p>Both have a history with the team as Scioscia had been the skipper for the franchise from 2000 to 2018, while Pujols played for them from 2012 to 2021.</p><h2><b>Angels could have Ron Washington back in 2026</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Angels-manager-Ron-Washington.jpg"><figcaption>Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>As fans have been waiting for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-ron-washington-gives-update-managerial-future-amid-health-issues">updates regarding the Angels manager in Washington</a> after the serious surgery, it does not seem unlikely that he could return to the role in 2026. With interim skipper Ray Montgomery currently trying to keep the ship afloat, the thought could be to not ruin any momentum and progress Washington had made, as he’s been with the team since 2024.</p><p>“Washington stepped away from the Angels to have quadruple bypass surgery before the All-Star break, and in theory, he could return to manage the team next year,” Olney wrote. “In the end, owner Arte Moreno, who is not inclined to defer to his general manager on the biggest decisions, will determine whether the 73-year-old Washington returns to his position.”</p><p>“Ray Montgomery has filled in as manager since Washington went on medical leave, and the Angels have continued to improve,” Olney continued. “They have already won more games so far this season than they did in all of 2024, when they finished 63-99.”</p><p>At any rate, Los Angeles is currently 68-77, which puts them fourth in the AL West as they conclude the series against the Twins on Wednesday afternoon.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels rumors: Could Mike Scioscia or Albert Pujols replace Ron Washington?

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-unattractive-career-high-wild-win-twins');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Mike Trout reaches unattractive career-high in wild win vs. Twins');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Angels-designated-hitter-Mike-Trout-27-reaches-third.jpg"><figcaption>Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Mike Trout reaches unattractive career-high in wild win vs. Twins</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-09T23:41:59-07:00">September 9th, 11:41pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-09T23:41:59-07:00">September 9th, 11:41pm</time><address><a>Rexwell Villas</a>Rexwell Villas is an experienced sports writer covering a variety of sports, including the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, and college football. He's a Communications Arts graduate from the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines, and he claims to have JR Smith's conscience with his shot selection. He has won a basketball, a baseball, and a football championship in fantasy all within a year.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>By and large, Mike Trout is still a great player, even at this stage of his career. The 33-year-old Los Angeles Angels outfielder has <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-mike-trout-scratched-from-lineup-before-royals-game">battled numerous injuries</a> and despite age creeping up on him, the three-time American League Most Valuable Player remains a solid bat for the Halos in the 2025 MLB regular season.</p><p>However, it’s been some time since fans saw Trout send one deep.</p><p>During Tuesday night’s 12-2 win over the Minnesota Twins at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, Trout once again <a href="https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/gameId/401697083" rel="noopener">failed to end his home run-less streak</a>.</p><p>“Trout has gone a career-high 119 plate appearances and 27 games without a homer since hitting his 398th on Aug. 6. His previous long drought was 117 plate appearances in 2015,” wrote the Associated Press in its recap of the Angels’ victory over the Twins (h/t ESPN).</p><p>That aside, Trout had a productive night at the plate against the visiting Twins, as he went 2-for-4 with three runs scored to go along with a walk for the Angels, who improved to 68-77 on the season. His most recent home run was against the Tampa Bay Rays in a 5-4 loss at home during the aforementioned date.</p><p>Trout is just two home runs short of <a href="https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/HR_career.shtml" rel="noopener">joining the 400-HR club,</a> and while he’s in the middle of a dinger drought, there are still plenty of games left in the regular season for him to try reaching that exclusive mark. There are 58 players in the history of the big leagues who have hit at least 400 home runs, with Trout on the cusp of getting into that group. Only Giancarlo Stanton of the New York Yankees is the active MLB player in that club.</p><p>Los Angeles also did something against the Twins that had not been seen in over six decades. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-zach-neto-franchise-record-vs-rangers">Angels wreaked havoc at the plate</a> in the game whenever there were two outs. In fact, they scored all their 12 runs with two outs. The last time they scored that many runs under such circumstances was back in the 1960s.</p><p>“Per Sportradar, the only other game where the Angels scored 12 runs, with all of them coming with two outs was April 14, 1962 at Minnesota,” shared Los Angeles senior communications manager Matt Birch via a post on X, formerly Twitter.</p><p>Trout and the Angels will look to win the series this Wednesday before a four-game date with the Seattle Mariners begins on Thursday.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Mike Trout reaches unattractive career-high in wild win vs. Twins

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-la-recall-pitcher-ahead-of-athletics-clash');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels recall pitcher ahead of Athletics clash');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Angels-SP-Chase-Silseth.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Los Angeles Angels pitcher Chase Silseth (63) throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning at Tempe Diablo Stadium.</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels recall pitcher ahead of Athletics clash</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-06T15:51:47-07:00">September 6th, 3:51pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-06T15:51:47-07:00">September 6th, 3:51pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Despite a rough past few weeks, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-los-angeles-free-agents-pursue-offseason">Los Angeles Angels are still</a> in the AL Wild Card hunt. Although they are seven games out from the final spot, a winning streak could certainly help narrow that gap. After losing their last two games to the Kansas City Royals and the Athletics, the Angels will look to defeat the A’s in order to tie their weekend series. Ahead of their Saturday night matchup, the Angels promoted pitcher Chase Silseth from Triple-A. According to the Halos’ official PR page on X (formerly Twitter), <a href="https://x.com/LAAngelsPR/status/1964435019902116052" rel="noopener">the team also placed</a> reliever Ryan Zeferjahn on the 15-Day IL.</p><p>“#Angels transactions: •Recalled RHP Chase Silseth from Triple-A Salt Lake •Placed RHP Ryan Zeferjahn (right knee tendinitis) on 15-day injured list,” posted the PR account before Saturday’s tilt.</p><p>Despite mostly starting in his previous stints with the Angels, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-chase-silseth-head-injury-update-hospital-bizarre-play">it looks like Silseth</a> will take Zeferjahn’s spot in the bullpen for the time being. The starting rotation is in a decent spot, with young guns Caden Dana and Mitch Farris doing their part. How long will Zeferjahn be out with the right knee affliction? If Los Angeles does manage to navigate into a Wild Card spot, could the right-hander get back in time to contribute to a postseason run?</p><h2><b>Angels clinging to slim playoff hopes as regular season wanes</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Angels-RP-Ryan-Zeferjahn.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>There are 21 days and a few hours left in the 2025 season. The regular season finale for every single team will occur on Sunday, September 28th. That doesn’t give <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-jo-adell-home-run-milestone-ward-2025">the Angels a lot of time</a> to make up those seven games. They will also need a good amount of luck, as the five teams ahead of them in the Wild Card race, including the current holders of the final spot, the Seattle Mariners, will have to basically choke in a sense in order for Los Angeles to have a shot.</p><p>Yet, it’s still very possible that the Angels could make the playoffs. If that happens, then they will have a chance at winning the World Series, even if it’s a small chance. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-top-angels-prospect-drops-crazy-message-shockingly-making-roster">If Silseth gets back</a> to the kind of consistency he’s shown in the past, the right-hander could be a key part of the Halos’ bullpen. In a postseason race where anything can happen, even Los Angeles could have a shot at October glory.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels recall pitcher ahead of Athletics clash

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-los-angeles-free-agents-pursue-offseason');   ga('set', 'title', '3 free agents Angels must pursue in offseason');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/3-free-agents-Angels-must-pursue-in-offseason.jpg"></figure><h1>3 free agents Angels must pursue in offseason</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-04T12:20:31-07:00">September 4th, 12:20pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-04T12:20:31-07:00">September 4th, 12:20pm</time><address><a>RB Hayek</a>RB Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of ClutchPoints' editorial team after primarily focusing on betting content. In addition, he is also a published author of thriller novels, available on Amazon.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Angels are set to miss the playoffs for the 10th straight season. Unfortunately, it’s been more of the same in Anaheim as the MLB offseason draws near. The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/texas-rangers/rangers-news-texas-sets-home-field-records-20-run-angels'">Angels had a humiliating loss</a> last week that reminded everyone how bad things are. Yet, the Angels’ free agency period could be interesting, especially if they swing for the fences. There will be plenty of talented MLB free agents on the market. Likewise, some of these top free agents could come to Anaheim.</p><p>Despite being the only team never to lose 100 games, the Halos have somehow been awful for the last decade. Being good enough to not lose 100 games and terrible enough to miss the playoffs constantly is a curse like no other. Indeed, the Halos have mastered the art of giving their fans false hope and then stumbling over their own feet. What other franchise could hold Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani on the same team and still fail? This team can.</p><p>All that can go away if the Angels’ free agency period goes well. It’s been too long since they made a splash in MLB free agency. Anthony Rendon was the last big signing they made, and that exploded in their faces spectacularly. This time, they need to go a different route and build a team that is reminiscent of the good teams from the mid-2000s.</p><h2><b>Shane Bieber could be available in the MLB offseason </b></h2><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/toronto-blue-jays/blue-jays-news-toronto-shane-bieber-trade-guardians">Toronto Blue Jays traded for Shane Bieber</a> at the MLB trade deadline. Although he will remain with the Jays for the rest of the season, he could opt out of his contract in the MLB offseason and become a free agent.</p><p>Bieber has not had the best start with the Jays, going 2-1 with a 4.15 ERA. Regardless, he is still a front-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, which the Halos don’t currently have. Bieber is also only 30 years old, which means there is plenty of life left in him as an above-average starting pitcher. It was just two seasons ago that Bieber went 13-8 with a 2.88 ERA. Significantly, the Angels have not had an ace in their rotation in a really long time. Bieber would solve that issue while joining a rotation that currently has Yusei Kikuchi, Jose Soriano, and Kyle Hendricks.</p><p>The Halos rank just 24th in starting pitching ERA. With Caden Dana already in the rotation, the Angels need a veteran pitcher to give their other young pitchers more time in the minors to develop. Bieber would be the perfect first step.</p><h2><b>Dylan Cease is one of the top free agents to consider</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Dylan-Cease-makes-a-pitch-on-the-mound.jpg"><figcaption>© Denis Poroy-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>At the MLB trade deadline, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/houston-astros/astros-rumors-houston-making-push-star-padres-pitcher">Houston Astros aggressively pursued Dylan Cease</a> as an option for their starting rotation. Ultimately, the trade would fall through, and the San Diego Padres would keep him. Cease does not have a club option and will be one of the coveted MLB free agents on the market.</p><p>Cease also might be more affordable than usual. Notably, it has been a down year for him, as he is 6-11 with a 4.81 ERA. While that may seem alarming to Angels’ fans, it would be wise to point out that he also went 14-11 with a 3.47 ERA in 2023. Cease is not a consistent ace as Bieber is. However, he is talented enough to bounce back, and has bounced back in the past.</p><p>The Halos should make a play for Cease. Ideally, they could offer him a five-year deal that would expire as he hits 34. Offering a ten-year contract would not be the wisest option for this pitcher.</p><h2><b>Luis Arraez could be a star in the Angels’ lineup</b></h2><p>The Angels need pitching badly. Yet, they also need consistent hitting. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/san-diego-padres/padres-news-luis-arraez-padres-settle-14-million-deal-amid-mets-trade-rumors">Luis Arraez signed a one-year deal</a> with the Padres before the season began. Now, he is set to become one of the top free agents on the market.</p><p>Arraez currently hits .284 with seven home runs, 52 RBIs, and 57 runs with an on-base percentage of .317 and a slugging percentage of .371. Currently, the Angels don’t have a single regular hitter who hits over .265. In fact, the Halos rank 29th in batting average and 28th in on-base percentage. Arraez is just two seasons removed from being a batting champion. Although the Angels certainly have power, ranking fourth in home runs, they rarely get a lot of runners on base.</p><p>A lineup featuring Arraez and Zach Neto at the top would be incredible for setting the tone. Although Arraez primarily plays first and second base, it would not be the biggest issue, as rookie Christian Moore is also flexible, as he can play second base and outfield. The Halos have not had a good contact hitter in a long time. Adding Arraez could give them the best contact hitter since Erick Aybar.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

3 free agents Angels must pursue in offseason

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-mike-trout-scratched-from-lineup-before-royals-game');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Mike Trout scratched from lineup before Royals game');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Angels-right-fielder-Mike-Trout-27-sits-in-the-dugout.jpg?w=1024"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Mike Trout scratched from lineup before Royals game</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-02T16:38:54-07:00">September 2nd, 4:38pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-02T18:01:34-07:00">September 2nd, 6:01pm</time><address><a href="https://linktr.ee/jordan.llanes">Jordan Llanes</a>Jordan Llanes is a sports writer and reporter based in Florida. In addition to ClutchPoints, he writes for a few other publications covering the NFL, college sports and Tottenham Hotspur. When he's not writing, Jordan enjoys spending time with his fiancée, cats, family and friends, as well as catching the latest TV shows and movies, and traveling.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Heading into Tuesday’s series opener against the Kansas City Royals, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-positive-injury-update-after-collision-vs-astros">Los Angeles Angels were looking</a> to get back on the winning path. After splitting a four-game set with the division leading Houston Astros, a series win against the Royals would go a long way. Unfortunately for the Angels, outfielder Mike Trout was a late scratch from Tuesday’s lineup. According to the Halos’ official PR account on X (formerly Twitter), Trout will miss Tuesday’s tilt <a href="https://x.com/LAAngelsPR/status/1963016801476087955" rel="noopener">due to a skin infection.</a></p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Mike Trout was scratched from today's lineup with a skin infection. <a href="https://t.co/KQ9q4mo3cR">https://t.co/KQ9q4mo3cR</a></p><p>— Angels PR (@LAAngelsPR) <a href="https://twitter.com/LAAngelsPR/status/1963016801476087955?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 2, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“Mike Trout was scratched from today’s lineup with a skin infection,” posted the PR page Tuesday evening.</p><p>It’s another tough blow for <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-mike-trout-out-of-lineup-once-again-vs-white-sox">Trout and the Angels.</a> After a historic start to his career, injuries and ailments have continuously plagued the former MVP. The 34-year-old has not only moved to right field, but he’s also played exclusively at designated hitter over the last few games as well. So far in 2025, Trout has played in the second-highest number of games (108) since his injury issues started in 2021. It’s been a mostly healthy season for Trout, even though it’s clear he’s in decline. Can the Angels surround him with enough talent to make a playoff run in the future?</p><h2><b>Angels need to surround Mike Trout with more talent</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Angels-OF-Mike-Trout-and-Jo-Adell.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Once again, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-front-office-message-trade-deadline-approaches">Angels GM Perry Minasian’s failure</a> to add top-tier talent this past offseason has snakebitten his roster. Of course, that has felt like the story every offseason since the big ticket signing of third baseman Anthony Rendon a few years ago. Now, the focus has been on drafting talented, experienced players out of college baseball and getting them to the majors as quickly as possible. Examples of this include first baseman Nolan Schanuel, shortstop Zach Neto and last year’s first round pick, second baseman Christian Moore.</p><p>While this is a different tactic, the need for more talent via trades and free agency is clear. This roster is not built to contend for a World Series title in its current state. Frankly, that is something <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-world-series-champ-urges-mike-trout-move">that Trout more than deserves,</a> considering his loyalty and service to the Angels. If Minasian won’t do that once again this winter, would it be time for both parties to part ways? If not, Trout’s career will always have a “What If” attached to it.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Mike Trout scratched from lineup before Royals game

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-positive-injury-update-after-collision-vs-astros');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Taylor Ward gives positive injury update after scary collision vs. Astros');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Taylor-Ward.jpg"><figcaption>© Erik Williams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Taylor Ward gives positive injury update after scary collision vs. Astros</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-09-01T11:06:45-07:00">September 1st, 11:06am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-09-01T11:06:45-07:00">September 1st, 11:06am</time><address><a>Guillermo Guajardo</a>Guillermo Guajardo is a dynamic sports presenter with experience on various television channels and digital platforms, most recently with A Tiempo.TV. He is also a multidisciplinary artist with 10 years of experience in acting, directing, writing, and hosting. His work in film has been recognized at international festivals, earning awards for both his performances and directorial projects.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>It was a major scare for Los Angeles Angels fans when <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-leaves-astros-game-crash-outfield-wall">Taylor Ward crashed face-first into the left-field</a> wall while chasing down a fly ball. The incident happened in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros, leaving the outfielder with a visible cut that required immediate medical attention before he was carted off the field and taken to the hospital.</p><p>Ward was tracking a deep drive off the bat of Ramón Urías when he turned and collided directly with the corner of the scoreboard. The impact was so severe that the medical staff rushed to attend to him. Ward managed to take a few steps toward the bullpen before being assisted and eventually taken off the field.</p><p>Now, the news was far more encouraging than initially feared. Ward <a href="https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1962549189340021011" rel="noopener">required about 20 stitches above his right eye</a> but was cleared of a concussion, according to Jeff Fletcher X post.</p><p>The outfielder said he was able to sleep well the night after the collision and believes he’ll only need a couple of days of rest before returning to the lineup. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-best-case-scary-injury-astros">The diagnosis was described as a “best-case scenario,”</a> bringing relief to a clubhouse that had feared the worst.</p><p>Despite the gash, Ward remained in good spirits, expressing optimism about getting back on the field soon. He explained that while the cut was serious, he avoided major complications and is focused on recovery.</p><p>Interim manager Ray Montgomery praised Ward’s effort, Jo Adell added that the collision shook the team, but emphasized that Ward was <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/taylor-ward-exits-after-crashing-face-first-into-left-field-wall" rel="noopener">“doing exactly what he’s supposed to do” in trying to make the catch.</a></p><p>“He’s doing everything he’s supposed to be doing,” Jo Adell said. “He’s grinding, trying to make a play, and something as stupid as that puts him down. He’s got a gash on his forehead. We’re running over to see if he’s OK, and it’s like ‘What is he supposed to do? Not be aggressive on the play? He’s supposed to go out there and do what he can to make a play. We were all shook up about it. I mean, you could hear his head hit from everywhere in the stadium if you were even remotely close. It was unfortunate. He’ll be all right, though,” he added, according to MLB.com.</p><p>For now, the medical update provides relief for both the Angels and their fans, as Ward avoided what could have been a long-term absence.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Taylor Ward gives positive injury update after scary collision vs. Astros

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-best-case-scary-injury-astros');   ga('set', 'title', 'Taylor Ward gets ‘best case scenario’ after scary injury vs. Astros');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Ward.jpg"><figcaption>Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Taylor Ward gets ‘best case scenario’ after scary injury vs. Astros</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-31T22:27:06-07:00">August 31st, 10:27pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-31T22:27:06-07:00">August 31st, 10:27pm</time><address><a>Tristin McKinstry</a>Tristin McKinstry is an experienced sports writer who got his start back in 2014. He is a Senior Editor with ClutchPoints and is one of the staff's NHL experts. Tristin has worked professionally with The Inquisitr and GIVEMESPORT in the past, and his work has also been featured on Last Word On Sports, XFL News Hub, and USFL News Hub. He is currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Communications at Southern New Hampshire University.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Baseball fans held their breath on Sunday <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-leaves-astros-game-crash-outfield-wall">when Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward crashed</a> into the out-of-town scoreboard at Daikin Park. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-jo-adell-calls-out-ridiculous-astros-ballpark-after-taylor-ward-injury">The scoreboard was covered by a metal fence</a>, which received criticism before the game against the Houston Astros. Unfortunately, the situation was brought to national attention for the worst reason.</p><p>Ward went face-first into the fence on Sunday against the Astros. He struggled to get to his feet, but was able to stand. He immediately motioned to the bullpen upon standing. Angels reliever Andrew Chafin came out with a towel to help stop the bleeding on Ward’s face.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Scary scene here in Houston. </p><p>Hopefully Taylor Ward is OK.</p><p>(Just last night after the game, he and Jo Adell were talking about how dangerous it can be to hit that that out of town scoreboard wrong.) <a href="https://t.co/P6yAzKLCtx">pic.twitter.com/P6yAzKLCtx</a></p><p>— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1962251287879201033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>It was a very scary moment for the Angels star. However, it does appear <a href="https://x.com/SamBlum3/status/1962362441062666591" rel="noopener">he avoided serious injury</a>. Ward is said to be all good, according to The Athletic’s Sam Blum.</p><p>“Connected with Taylor Ward tonight. It’s all good news. He’s doing well. Had a nasty cut above his right eye, but it was stitched up. A best case scenario after what we saw on the field earlier today,” Blum said on Sunday night.</p><p>Interim Angels manager Ray Montgomery mentioned Ward had <a href="https://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/astros/article/angels-taylor-ward-injured-face-hit-fence-21024593.php" rel="noopener">a cut above his eye</a> after hitting the fence. “Obviously, he hit the wall pretty good,” the Halos skipper said, via Astros beat reporter Matt Kawahara. “He’s got a cut above his eye. So I think he’s just getting re-evaluated and maybe going to the hospital to get some stitches.”</p><p>Ward is having the best season of his career to this point. The 31-year-old has hit 30 home runs and 94 RBI to this point, with both marks representing career highs. The Angels star is slashing .228/.315/.477 in 133 games.</p><p>The Angels will play one more game against the Astros in Houston. Following this contest, they will begin a series against the Kansas City Royals. Hopefully, Ward can return to the field sooner rather than later with no further complications.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Taylor Ward gets ‘best case scenario’ after scary injury vs. Astros

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-jo-adell-calls-out-ridiculous-astros-ballpark-after-taylor-ward-injury');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Jo Adell calls out ‘ridiculous’ Astros ballpark after Taylor Ward injury');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Angels-news-Jo-Adell-calls-out-ridiculous-Astros-ballpark-after-Taylor-Ward-injury.jpg"><figcaption>Erik Williams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Jo Adell calls out ‘ridiculous’ Astros ballpark after Taylor Ward injury</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-31T18:09:38-07:00">August 31st, 6:09pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-31T18:09:38-07:00">August 31st, 6:09pm</time><address><a>Richard Pereira</a>Richard Pereira joined ClutchPoints in January 2025 as an Associate Editor. He earned his degree from Florida Atlantic University in 2023 and has been covering the school's athletic programs since 2020, having served as a Sports Editor at the FAU University Press. He was granted the unique opportunity to report on the men's basketball team's journey to the Final Four in Houston for FAU Owls Nest during March Madness, consistently striving to grow as a sports journalist.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Jo Adell expressed his frustrations towards a mishap that occurred to teammate Taylor Ward during Sunday’s <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-leaves-astros-game-crash-outfield-wall">matchup between the Los Angeles Angels and Houston Astros</a>.</p><p>The incident took place in the bottom of the eighth inning. Houston landed a hit that saw the ball go to left field as Ward went in pursuit.</p><p>However, there was a metal fence on that side of the field as Ward collided with it and started bleeding from his head. He needed medical attention to stop the bleeding as the team removed him for the rest of the night. Christian Moore took his place at left field</p><p>Adell <a href="https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1962267575707894104" rel="noopener">reflected on that event</a> after the game, per reporter Jeff Fletcher. The outfielder was not happy, demanding that Houston remove the metal fence so there wouldn’t be any concern of a possible injury for players.</p><p>“He’s doing what he’s supposed to do. He’s being aggressive on a play. At the bottom line, and I’ve talked about this before, but there should be no out of town metal scoreboard anywhere on the baseball field. It’s the big leagues. This s*** is ridiculous. A guy goes back to make a play, and he’s got to worry about a metal fence. That’s crazy,” Adell said.</p><p>“So that’s my honest opinion about it. He did everything he could to make a play, and he gets beat up by something that’s beyond controllable.”</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Scary scene here in Houston.</p><p>Hopefully Taylor Ward is OK.</p><p>(Just last night after the game, he and Jo Adell were talking about how dangerous it can be to hit that that out of town scoreboard wrong.) <a href="https://t.co/P6yAzKLCtx">pic.twitter.com/P6yAzKLCtx</a></p><p>— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1962251287879201033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://instagram.com/embed.js"></script></p></figure><h2><b>How Jo Adell, Angels played against Astros</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Angels-news-Jo-Adell-calls-out-ridiculous-Astros-ballpark-after-Taylor-Ward-injury-2.jpg"><figcaption>Erik Williams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>While the Angels will monitor Taylor Ward’s health following the incident, they came out of the matchup with a 3-0 shutout win over the Astros.</p><p>It was a low-scoring affair as Los Angeles scored its runs in the fifth and eighth innings. Oswald Peraza, Mike Trout and Luis Rengifo were the players who provided the scores for the squad.</p><p>The Angels’ bullpen did a spectacular job at keeping the Astros’ offense scoreless. They held the hosts to two hits after 28 at-bats, summing up the unit’s dominant evening. Jose Soriano earned the win as he lasted seven innings on the mound, striking out eight batters while conceding one hit.</p><p>Los Angeles improved to a 64-72 record on the season, holding the fourth spot of the AL West Division standings. They are six games behind the Texas Rangers and 8.5 games behind the Seattle Mariners.</p><p>The Angels will prepare for their series finale against the Astros. The contest will take place on Sept. 1 at 2:10 p.m. ET.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Jo Adell calls out ‘ridiculous’ Astros ballpark after Taylor Ward injury

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-leaves-astros-game-crash-outfield-wall');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Taylor Ward leaves Astros game after scary crash into outfield wall');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Los-Angeles-Angels-left-fielder-Taylor-Ward-calls-for-the-trainer.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Taylor Ward leaves Astros game after scary crash into outfield wall</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-31T16:11:57-07:00">August 31st, 4:11pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-31T16:12:46-07:00">August 31st, 4:12pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Houston Astros</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Los Angeles Angels outfielder Taylor Ward left Sunday’s game against the Houston Astros after <a href="https://x.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1962251287879201033" rel="noopener">a frightening collision</a> with the outfield wall in the eighth inning at Daikin Park. The incident occurred while Ward was tracking a deep fly ball off the bat of Ramón Urías, who doubled to left field. Ward sprinted toward the warning track but slammed face-first into the metal out-of-town scoreboard in left field. The impact was so loud it could be heard across sections of the stadium, according to teammates.</p><p>Ward immediately grabbed his head, waved for assistance, and walked toward the Angels’ bullpen before relief pitcher Andrew Chafin pressed a towel against his face to stop the bleeding. Members of both teams’ medical staffs rushed to his aid as blood streamed from a cut above his right eye.</p><p>After several minutes of on-field treatment, Astros personnel carted Ward off and transported him by ambulance to a local hospital. Interim manager Ray Montgomery confirmed that Ward suffered a laceration above his right eye and required stitches, but stated that no damage to the eye itself was detected.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Scary scene here in Houston. </p><p>Hopefully Taylor Ward is OK.</p><p>(Just last night after the game, he and Jo Adell were talking about how dangerous it can be to hit that that out of town scoreboard wrong.) <a href="https://t.co/P6yAzKLCtx">pic.twitter.com/P6yAzKLCtx</a></p><p>— Jeff Fletcher (@JeffFletcherOCR) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffFletcherOCR/status/1962251287879201033?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 31, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>The injury brought back reminders of Ward’s previous misfortune. In July 2023, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-taylor-ward-breaks-silence-on-taking-92-mph-sinker-to-the-face-in-july">he was struck by a 92 mph fastball</a> that fractured his nose, orbital bone, temple, and jaw, ending his season and requiring reconstructive surgery with three metal plates inserted. That incident sidelined him for months, including a period in which he could not eat solid food.</p><p>Ward has been <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-jo-adell-home-run-milestone-ward-2025">one of the Angels’ most productive players this season</a>. The 31-year-old entered Sunday batting .228 but with career highs in power production, including 30 home runs, 94 RBIs, and a .477 slugging percentage. His plate discipline has improved as well, with his walk rate climbing to 11.2% (79th percentile), while his 21% chase rate ranks in the 89th percentile across MLB. Defensively, Ward has been equally valuable, ranking in the 87th percentile in Outs Above Average.</p><p>Ward’s teammate, outfielder Jo Adell, ridiculed the scoreboard setup, noting that players should not have to worry about running into a metal structure while making a play at the highest level. Ward himself and Adell had even discussed the hazard the night before. Calls for additional padding or structural changes at Daikin Park have intensified in light of Sunday’s events.</p><p>On the field, the Angels were victorious 3–0 to take the weekend series. Jose Soriano threw seven innings of one-hit ball with eight strikeouts, while Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since being acquired from the New York Yankees. Mike Trout added an RBI double, and Kenley Jansen recorded his 25th save.</p><p>The Astros, meanwhile, managed just two hits, their fifth shutout loss of August and extending a slump in which they’ve scored two or fewer runs in 11 of their last 19 games.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Taylor Ward leaves Astros game after scary crash into outfield wall

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/disappointing-player-angels-must-trade-offseason');   ga('set', 'title', '1 disappointing player Angels must trade in offseason');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/1-disappointing-player-Angels-must-trade-in-offseason.jpg"></figure><h1>1 disappointing player Angels must trade in offseason</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-28T08:03:31-07:00">August 28th, 8:03am</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-28T08:03:31-07:00">August 28th, 8:03am</time><address><a>RB Hayek</a>RB Hayek has been writing about sports for over a decade and is currently a member of ClutchPoints' editorial team after primarily focusing on betting content. In addition, he is also a published author of thriller novels, available on Amazon.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Editorials</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Angels are in the midst of another awful season. In fact, they just hit rock bottom after the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/texas-rangers/rangers-news-texas-sets-home-field-records-20-run-angels">Halos allowed 20 runs against the Texas Rangers</a>. It appears that the Halos will miss the playoffs for the 11th consecutive season, which is the longest streak in the majors. While not a superstar, this acquisition from free agency has been a disappointment. Because of that, he will make for an ideal Angels trade candidate. This Angels roster shakeup is inevitable, and the team must do all it can to get out of this rut.</p><p>The Halos have a few players locked into long-term deals, such as Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Although trading them would be great, there is a very small chance it would actually happen. Trout would have to choose to accept a trade. Rendon would have to have value, which he does not.</p><p>The Halos are in a situation where they need to get younger to give themselves any chance of competing in the future. Currently, there is only one player whom they could logically trade in the MLB offseason to help them.</p><h2><b>What went wrong for the Angels</b></h2><p>What didn’t go wrong for the Angels? Unless they were playing the Los Angeles Dodgers, they looked horrible. Young stars like <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-zach-neto-franchise-record-vs-rangers">Zach Neto have played well,</a> but there has not been much else.</p><p>The Angels are currently ranked 29th in batting average, 27th in on-base percentage, and 17th in runs. Conversely, they are fourth in home runs and 13th in slugging percentage. When the Halos were hitting the ball well, things went well. Notably, they have two players who have already hit 30 home runs. Jo Adell has had a career season, bashing 30 home runs while driving in 82 runs. Likewise, Taylor Ward has smashed 30 home runs while driving in 94 runners. The problem is neither hit for average, as both are hitting .232.</p><p>Zach Neto has been the only true consistent hitter in what has generally been a bad lineup. So far, he is batting .270 with 23 home runs, 58 RBIs, and 72 runs. Meanwhile, other young stars like Logan O’Hoppe and Nolan Schanuel have not contributed significantly to the Halos’ success.</p><p>The pitching has been atrocious, with the rotation ranking 25th in team ERA and the bullpen ranking 28th. Despite that, the Halos will not likely be trading any pitchers, because they don’t have that many with the needed value. They do have Jorge Soler.</p><h2><b>Why Jorge Soler is a disappointment</b></h2><p>No one expected Soler to come in and start having a career season. Instead, fans expected some consistency, or at least something close to the .241 mark he had for his entire career. Most expected he would smash at least 25 home runs and drive in around 70-75 runners. But it has not turned out that way.</p><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-jorge-soler-exits-mariners-game-injury-scare">Soler sustained an injury</a> in June and has not played a game since. Even before that injury, he was struggling. Soler was batting just .215 with 12 home runs and 34 RBIs. Had he stayed healthy, he would have likely reached the 25 home run mark. Yet, his batting average was below par.</p><p>Soler’s <a href="https://baseballsavant.mlb.com/savant-player/jorge-soler-624585?stats=statcast-r-hitting-mlb" rel="noopener">numbers and metrics were bad</a>, according to Baseball Savant. Ultimately, the only thing he was doing well at the plate was his barrel percentage. It just was not a good season for the Halos’ newest player, even before the injury.</p><h2><b>Why he is a good Angels trade candidate</b></h2><p>Soler is a good Angels trade candidate because he can still bring some value. No, he should not be the main star of any team. But the Halos can surely find a trade partner, perhaps in the National League, who will add him to their lineup.</p><p>At this point in his career, Soler would be a good option for a team that needs an extra bat off the bench. While he can still play in the outfield, he is a designated hitter at heart. While the Angels could have traded Ward, Luis Rengifo, Tyler Anderson, or Kenley Jansen at the trade deadline, all four will be free agents after the season. That makes Soler the best choice to be an Angels trade candidate.</p><h2><b>Who can they get back in the MLB offseason?</b></h2><p>There will likely be an Angels roster shakeup. Thus, the Halos need to focus on improving some of the many areas of weakness they have. For example, they have not had a successful year on the mound. Trading Soler could net them a middle-innings reliever for cheap. Moreover, they could still find someone to send a mid-rotation prospect that might be ready within a year.</p><p>Whatever the Angels do, they must take advantage of any deal they can get. If someone inquires about Soler, the Halos should listen and attempt to get the best value back.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

1 disappointing player Angels must trade in offseason

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/texas-rangers/rangers-news-texas-sets-home-field-records-20-run-angels');   ga('set', 'title', 'Rangers set multiple home-field records in 20-run explosion vs. Angels');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Texas-Rangers-right-fielder-Adolis-Garcia-hits-a-two-run-double.jpg"><figcaption>Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Rangers set multiple home-field records in 20-run explosion vs. Angels</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-27T22:14:44-07:00">August 27th, 10:14pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-27T22:14:44-07:00">August 27th, 10:14pm</time><address><a>Abdullah Imran</a>Abdullah Imran works as an Associate Editor for All Sports at ClutchPoints. He’s been a sports fan his entire life and enjoys writing about every sport. He has spent three years in sports journalism and loves analyzing games. In his free time, he very much enjoys binge-watching shows and playing video games.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/texas-rangers/rangers-news-rangers-set-franchise-mark-behind-nathan-eovaldi-vs-athletics">Texas Rangers unleashed a historic offensive performance</a> Wednesday night, <a href="https://x.com/Evan_P_Grant/status/1960895207702151405" rel="noopener">scoring 20 runs</a>, a record for Globe Life Field, <a href="https://x.com/Evan_P_Grant/status/1960895832783212986" rel="noopener">on 20 hits</a>, the most the Rangers have ever recorded at their home ballpark, to crush the Los Angeles Angels 20-3. The outburst was the most runs scored by the Rangers in a game since July 25, 2011, and is tied for the third-most in franchise history.</p><p>The game was originally supposed to feature Nathan Eovaldi, who had been having a career-best season. However, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/texas-rangers/rangers-news-nathan-eovaldi-out-season-shoulder-injury">a rotator cuff strain ended Eovaldi’s regular season prematurely</a>. In his place, the Rangers started Jacob Latz in a bullpen game. Latz delivered 4.1 innings, allowing two runs on four hits. Jacob Webb followed with 1 2/3 scoreless innings, earning the win (5-4).</p><p>Texas’ lineup capitalized immediately. The Angels struck first when Joe Adell drove in Taylor Ward with a two-out double in the top of the first. But the Rangers responded with a four-run first inning highlighted by Adolis Garcia’s three-run homer, his 17th of the season, plating Wyatt Langford and Corey Seager. Kyle Higashioka added an RBI sacrifice fly in the frame.</p><p>Joc Pederson continued the offensive barrage with a three-run homer in the second, driving in Langford and Seager to extend the lead to 7-1. Corey Seager added a two-run shot in the fourth, with Langford scoring ahead of him, followed by RBI singles from Pederson and Higashioka to make it 11-1. Ezequiel Duran later doubled home Langford in the fifth.</p><p>Garcia, Pederson, and Higashioka each finished with five RBIs, while Seager added two. Wyatt Langford reached base all five times, scoring four runs before the team replaced him in the seventh. Every Rangers batter recorded at least one hit, reflecting a total offensive dominance.</p><p>Angels starter Jack Kochanowicz, recalled from Triple-A Salt Lake, wasn’t at his best in his 23rd start of the season, allowing 11 runs (10 earned) in 3 1/3 innings. His ERA rose to 6.81, and his 11 runs allowed represent a career high. Later in the seventh, Angels used position player Oswald Peraza as a pitcher. Texas took full advantage, scoring eight runs in the inning, capped by Higashioka’s three-run homer on a 36.6 mph pitch for his 10th of the season.</p><p>The victory gave Texas a series sweep over the Angels and pushed the Rangers to five wins in six games, keeping them in contention for a Wild Card spot. The Rangers now sit above .500 by a game and prepare for the first of three games against the Athletics in Sacramento following their off day Thursday. The Angels, meanwhile, head to Houston to open a four-game series.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Rangers set multiple home-field records in 20-run explosion vs. Angels

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-zach-neto-franchise-record-vs-rangers');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Zach Neto leads LA to franchise-record breaking night vs. Rangers');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Zach-Neto.jpg"><figcaption>Jim Cowsert-Imagn Images.</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Zach Neto leads LA to franchise-record breaking night vs. Rangers</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-25T18:50:55-07:00">August 25th, 6:50pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-25T18:50:55-07:00">August 25th, 6:50pm</time><address><a>Josh Davis</a>Josh Davis is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints with a focus on MLB. As the founder and creator of OutOfSightSports, Josh spearheads the development and expansion of an engaging social media platform, with a core focus on Twitter/X. A passionate sports writer, Josh is dedicated to delivering compelling content that connects fans and fuels vibrant sports conversations. His vision is to craft stories so vivid that fans feel like they’re standing at the plate or on the field.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Angels wasted no time making history Monday night, and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-zach-neto-blasted-locker-room-aux">Zach Neto was the one who delivered it</a>. The shortstop launched a leadoff home run on the first pitch of the game against the Texas Rangers, marking his ninth leadoff homer of the season and breaking the franchise’s single-season team record — all while helping L.A. build a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning.</p><p>Neto’s blast pushed the Angels’ leadoff home run record to 11 on the year, surpassing the previous mark of 10 set during the 1986 season. The 24-year-old’s own individual mark of nine also extended his existing single-season record, which he set earlier this summer.</p><p>The Angels’ official PR account took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to confirm the milestone, highlighting both Neto’s impact and the <a href="https://x.com/LAAngelsPR/status/1960133992310788378" rel="noopener">team’s record-breaking</a> achievement.</p><p>“Zach Neto extends his #Angels single-season record with his ninth leadoff HR of the year.</p><p>As a team, the Angels 11 leadoff homers this year are a new single-season Club record (previous was 10 leadoff homers in 1986).”</p><p>Neto’s home run came off Rangers starter Jacob deGrom, a 384-foot shot that left the bat at 100.5 mph off a first-pitch four-seam fastball. The blast added to his growing reputation as one of the most dynamic leadoff hitters in baseball.</p><p>The homer also gave Los Angeles an early jolt of momentum in a game that carried little postseason weight but meant plenty for a club focused on development. Neto’s consistency at the top of the lineup has become a major storyline.</p><p>Now in just his second full MLB season, the young shortstop has emerged as a rare bright spot in a challenging year for the Halos. Selected 13th overall in the 2022 MLB Draft, Neto made his debut in 2023 and quickly earned the role of everyday shortstop. Through Monday, he’s slashing .264/.320/.470 with 26 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases across 440 at-bats — a clear sign of his rising value within a franchise focused on youth development and long-term potential.</p><p>The Angels, who entered Monday at 62-69 and sitting fourth in the AL West, are no longer in postseason contention. But games like this show there’s still value in 2025 — especially when it comes to player development and setting a foundation for the future.</p><p>Even with the playoffs out of reach, moments like Monday night offer a glimpse into the next era for Los Angeles. With Neto leading the charge, the <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-ron-washington-gives-update-managerial-future-amid-health-issues">Angels are finding reasons to stay locked in</a> on the long-term vision.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Zach Neto leads LA to franchise-record breaking night vs. Rangers

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-ron-washington-gives-update-managerial-future-amid-health-issues');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels’ Ron Washington gives update on managerial future amid health issues');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Angels-manager-Ron-Washington.jpg"><figcaption>Kiyoshi Mio-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><h1>Angels’ Ron Washington gives update on managerial future amid health issues</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-25T15:49:20-07:00">August 25th, 3:49pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-25T15:49:58-07:00">August 25th, 3:49pm</time><address><a>Alex House</a>Alex House is a sports journalist who covers the NFL, NBA, and MLB for ClutchPoints. He grew up in a New York sports-heavy region in Connecticut and earned his journalism degree at the University of Rhode Island. His in-depth knowledge of two of the most passionate and raucous fan bases in the country gives him a truly unique writing voice.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Los Angeles Angels</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The Los Angeles Angels were feistier than most fans probably anticipated, hovering around .500 in July before stringing together four losing streaks of three or more games. They are now eight and a half games out of the third and final American League Wild Card slot, heading toward a 10th straight losing campaign. Fan morale is understandably low as the club begins a 10-game road trip, but the mood changed on Monday, at least for a while.</p><p>Ron Washington is on the mend. The Angels manager, who <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angel-news-ron-washington-sidelined-indefinitely-with-health-issue">stepped away from his post</a> on June 20 due to health reasons, rejoined the team before its divisional matchup against the Texas Rangers. Although he is off-duty for the remainder of the year, the two-time AL pennant winner did have some positive news to share <a href="https://x.com/RhettBollinger/status/1960083612155756914" rel="noopener">regarding his well-being</a>. He also made it clear what his plans are moving forward.</p><p>“Ron Washington said it was a quadruple bypass but he’ll be fully medically cleared in December,” MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger reported. “He wants to keep managing. Said he’s eating healthier and quit smoking.”</p><h2><b>What does future hold for Ron Washington, Angels?</b></h2><p>Fans have been wondering who will man the dugout next season, and judging by this press conference, it seems Washington would be willing to rejoin the Halos for 2026 if the organization welcomed him back. Ray Montgomery has served as interim skipper in his absence. There is always a chance the Angels want to go with another candidate, though. Future Hall of Famer and <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-mike-trout-drops-albert-pujols-admission-on-his-career">former Halos slugger Albert Pujols</a> is a popular choice among fans.</p><p>Regardless of how the organization wishes to proceed, a healthy Washington would presumably garner plenty of interest. He managed the Rangers to two World Series appearances, coming within one strike of celebrating a championship, and won a ring while serving as the third base coach for the Atlanta Braves in 2021. He took over a dismal situation in Anaheim in 2023 and was making a visible impact before the squad cratered down the stretch and finished with 99 losses.</p><p>Washington’s second season with the Angels started off on a more promising note. Anaheim weathered some struggles and fell below .500, but it was still exceeding expectations. Perhaps his presence can give the Halos added motivation for its showdown with the Rangers. The 73-year-old clearly misses the game and is <a href="https://x.com/SamBlum3/status/1960083109057114352" rel="noopener">eager to jump back into action</a>.</p><p>“Yes I do. Without a doubt,” Washington said when asked if he wants to manage again, per The Athletic’s Sam Blum.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels’ Ron Washington gives update on managerial future amid health issues

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-why-jameson-taillon-pulled-5-innings-vs-angels');   ga('set', 'title', 'Why Cubs’ Jameson Taillon was pulled after 5 innings vs. Angels');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Jameson-Taillon-cover.jpg"></figure><h1>Why Cubs’ Jameson Taillon was pulled after 5 innings vs. Angels</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-24T21:19:23-07:00">August 24th, 9:19pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-24T21:19:23-07:00">August 24th, 9:19pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-kyle-tucker-slump-over-home-runs-angels">Cubs completed a sweep of the Los Angeles Angels</a> on Sunday afternoon, but the bigger storyline came from the early exit of starting pitcher Jameson Taillon.</p><p>Taillon was cruising through five innings, allowing just one run on three hits with three strikeouts. He had thrown only 62 pitches when manager Craig Counsell walked out to the mound and pulled him before the sixth inning. Postgame, Counsell revealed the <a href="https://x.com/maddie_m_lee/status/1959764027678355846" rel="noopener">move was precautionary</a>, as Taillon reported tightness in his left groin.</p><p>“There’s always concern when you take a guy out,” Counsell said. “So it’ll be something we evaluate over the week.”</p><p>Taillon downplayed the issue, calling it nothing more than a “small cramp,” per Bruce Levine of 670 The Score. The right-hander said he felt the discomfort after sitting during a long half-inning and tightened up while preparing to go back out. “I just felt a tiny little cramp,” Taillon explained. “It was a long sit. I went out there, tried to get the body moving again, and that’s when I noticed it.”</p><h2><b>Cubs hang on to sweep the Angels</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Jameson-Taillon.jpg"><figcaption>Jonathan Hui-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/cubs-kyle-tucker-breaks-home-run-drought-with-first-bomb-since-july">The Cubs gave Taillon some run support</a> after Taylor Ward opened the game with a solo homer for Los Angeles. In the third inning, rookie Matt Shaw doubled and scored on a single by Kyle Tucker. In the fourth, Ian Happ worked a walk and came around to score on Nico Hoerner’s RBI double, putting Chicago ahead 2-1.</p><p>The Cubs added two more runs in the fifth, chasing their former ace Kyle Hendricks, who was making his first career start against the team with which he won a World Series. After Hendricks allowed a pair of singles and a walk to load the bases, Pete Crow-Armstrong lifted a sacrifice fly and Carson Kelly followed with an RBI single to make it 4-1.</p><p>The Angels rallied in the sixth, with Ward driving in another run on an RBI double and later scoring on a fielding error by Dansby Swanson to cut the deficit to 4-3. That would be as close as they’d get. Daniel Palencia slammed the door in the ninth, striking out the side — including Bryce Teodosio and Christian Moore with 100-mph fastballs — to earn his 20th save of the season.</p><p>The afternoon also <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-hendricks-cubs-angels" rel="noopener">marked a sentimental return</a> for Hendricks, who spent 11 seasons with the Cubs and remains one of the most respected pitchers in franchise history. Cubs fans in Anaheim gave him a warm ovation, which he acknowledged after the game. “Just to get that from that side, too, is really special,” Hendricks said. “I appreciate them so much.” Hendricks allowed four runs on five hits in 4 1/3 innings, taking the loss in his first matchup against Chicago.</p><p>The Cubs improved to a season-best 21 games over .500 and closed within five games of the NL Central-leading Brewers. While Taillon’s groin issue doesn’t appear serious, his status for Saturday’s scheduled start in Colorado will depend on how he responds in the coming days. For now, the Cubs will breathe a sigh of relief. They earned a sweep on the road, kept their playoff push on track, and avoided what could have been a far more significant injury setback.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Why Cubs’ Jameson Taillon was pulled after 5 innings vs. Angels

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-angels-bryce-teodosio-ian-happ-hr-incredible-jumpman-catch');   ga('set', 'title', 'Angels CF Bryce Teodosio robs Ian Happ HR with incredible Jumpman catch');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Bryce-Teodosio-cover.jpg"></figure><h1>Angels CF Bryce Teodosio robs Ian Happ HR with incredible Jumpman catch</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-22T22:25:07-07:00">August 22nd, 10:25pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-22T22:25:07-07:00">August 22nd, 10:25pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/angels-news-angels-ss-zach-neto-removed-reds-game-injury-concern">Los Angeles Angels might have fallen short on the scoreboard Friday</a> night, but Bryce Teodosio gave fans a moment they won’t soon forget. In the fourth inning of the Angels’ 3-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Teodosio raced to the left of the 396-foot marker in center field, leapt high against the wall, and came down with Ian Happ’s would-be home run tucked securely in his glove. The play not only robbed Happ of extra bases, but also <a href="https://www.ocregister.com/2025/08/22/yoan-moncadas-2-home-runs-not-enough-as-angels-fall-to-cubs/" rel="noopener">kept the game tied at the time</a> and drew an appreciative salute from starter Tyler Anderson.</p><figure class="op-interactive"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p dir="ltr" lang="en">Bryce Teodosio ROBS Ian Happ of a HR with this INSANE catch 🤯</p><p> <a href="https://t.co/8gQT8Oa7hH">pic.twitter.com/8gQT8Oa7hH</a></p><p>— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) <a href="https://twitter.com/ClutchPoints/status/1959082494281822642?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 23, 2025</a></p></blockquote><p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></figure><p>“It was awesome to have that in the moment,” Teodosio said afterward. “I just want to continue to work hard and win baseball games. I know we didn’t win tonight but I just want to continue to help the team however I can.”</p><p>While Teodosio’s defensive gem provided the highlight, Yoán Moncada kept the Angels’ offense afloat. The veteran infielder launched two solo shots — one in the fifth and another in the seventh — to tally his first multi-homer game since joining Los Angeles. His seventh-inning blast tied the contest at 2-2, giving the Angels a chance to rally late.</p><p>“It’s been a while since I’ve hit two homers in a game, so I felt happy for that,” Moncada said with a smile. “When I used to play against [the Cubs] with the White Sox it was more of a rivalry than now. I’m just happy to hit the homers.”</p><h2><b>Angels’ Yoan Moncada powers up, but Cubs have last word</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Yoan-Moncada_6bd0a4.jpg"><figcaption>Credit: Gary A. Vasquez</figcaption></figure><p>Unfortunately for Los Angeles, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/cubs-kyle-tucker-breaks-home-run-drought-with-first-bomb-since-july">the momentum swung back into the Cubs favor</a> in the ninth inning. Closer Kenley Jansen, pitching through side discomfort in recent outings, surrendered a go-ahead solo shot to Pete Crow-Armstrong. It marked Jansen’s second straight blown save, and he didn’t hold back on his frustration.</p><p>“I felt fine, just a terrible day,” Jansen admitted. “I didn’t like the way I looked today. Terrible. I stunk. We’ll be back tomorrow.”</p><p>The defeat was another tough blow for an Angels club fading from the postseason race. Friday’s result dropped them to five losses in their last seven games since sweeping the Dodgers for the second time this year. Interim manager Ray Montgomery emphasized that this is not the time for his players to ease up.</p><p>“This is the time where you spend your whole offseason building for,” Montgomery said. “This is not the time to step off the gas. For me, this is the time when the best players shine.”</p><p>Tyler Anderson gave Los Angeles a chance, working five innings of two-run ball, but his winless streak stretched to 21 starts. Mike Trout extended his on-base streak to 22 games with a walk, but the offense as a whole mustered just three hits.</p><p>Despite the struggles, Teodosio’s “Jumpman” catch showed exactly why the Angels value his speed and defense in center field. Plays like that don’t erase the sting of a loss, but they do highlight a player’s ability to impact a game in ways that don’t always show up in the box score. For an Angels team looking for sparks in a difficult stretch, Teodosio’s glove provided one — even if the night ended in another defeat.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Angels CF Bryce Teodosio robs Ian Happ HR with incredible Jumpman catch

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-cubs-kyle-tucker-top-2026-free-agent-market-driver');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker named top 2026 free agent market driver');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kyle-Tucker-cover-2.jpg"></figure><h1>Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker named top 2026 free agent market driver</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-22T21:48:15-07:00">August 22nd, 9:48pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-22T21:48:15-07:00">August 22nd, 9:48pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>The MLB calendar hasn’t flipped to September yet, but the free agency buzz for the upcoming winter is already heating up. At the center of it all is <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-kyle-tucker-brewers">Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker</a>, who MLB.com has tabbed as the top driver of the 2026 free agent market.</p><p>At just 28 years old, Tucker is expected to hit free agency for the first time, and his profile is unmatched. Since 2021, he’s been worth at least 4.0 fWAR each year, and his mix of power, speed, and defense makes him one of the most complete players in the sport. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/los-angeles-angels/cubs-kyle-tucker-breaks-home-run-drought-with-first-bomb-since-july">Tucker got off to a roaring start in his first season with the Cubs,</a> hitting .931 OPS with 17 home runs, 52 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases through the end of June. That stretch cemented him as the headliner of this winter’s class.</p><p>Tucker’s free agent case is built on consistency and ceiling. A four-time All-Star, he’s one of the few hitters in the game who can anchor a lineup for years. Spotrac has projected his next deal in the $490 million range, while other insiders believe the bidding could reach $500 million. He won’t match Juan Soto’s record-breaking deal from last offseason, but Tucker’s mix of age and production ensures <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/ranking-the-free-agents-for-2025-26-offseason?affiliateId=mlbapp-ios_webview_news-index&amp;rsid=mlbios.at.bat.new.implementation" rel="noopener">he’ll land in the same neighborhood.</a></p><h2><b>Cubs expected to lose their all-star to free agency</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kyle-Tucker-4.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>MLB insider Mark Feinsand has already pointed to potential suitors like the Giants and Phillies, both teams with glaring outfield needs. But make no mistake — the Cubs’ top offseason priority will be keeping their centerpiece in Chicago. Losing him would be a crushing blow after dealing significant pieces to acquire him from Houston last winter.</p><p>While Tucker’s first half showcased MVP-caliber play, the last two months have been far less kind. A hand fracture in June — which has since healed — coincided with his steepest slump of the season. Since July 1, Tucker has posted a .560 OPS, including a brutal stretch with just two hits in 25 at-bats entering this week.</p><p>The frustration boiled over at Wrigley Field, where Tucker was booed during Monday’s loss to the Brewers. Manager Craig Counsell responded by benching his star outfielder for three straight games to give him a mental and physical reset.</p><p>“The fans are frustrated and Kyle’s frustrated,” Counsell said. “He’s trying. It’s just not clicking. We’re going to have to take a little step back here and just give him some days off to reset him, hopefully.”</p><p>Despite the slump, Tucker’s reputation as one of the league’s best all-around players hasn’t faded. Teammate Ian Happ made it clear the Cubs clubhouse isn’t worried: “Tuck is going to be fine. He’s one of the best players in baseball.”</p><p>That belief will drive his free agent value, too. Whether it’s the Cubs ponying up or a big-market rival swooping in, Tucker’s market will set the tone for the entire 2026 offseason. His next few weeks could decide just how high the bidding climbs.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

Cubs slugger Kyle Tucker named top 2026 free agent market driver

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en">    <head>        <script>   (function(i, s, o, g, r, a, m) {     i["GoogleAnalyticsObject"] = r;     i[r] = i[r] || function() {       (i[r].q = i[r].q || []).push(arguments)     }, i[r].l = 1 * new Date();     a = s.createElement(o),       m = s.getElementsByTagName(o)[0];     a.async = 1;     a.src = g;     m.parentNode.insertBefore(a, m)   })(window, document, "script", "https://www.google-analytics.com/analytics.js", "ga");   ga('create', 'UA-66147751-16', {     'storage': 'none',     'clientId': localStorage.getItem('ga:clientId')   });   ga(function(tracker) {     localStorage.setItem('ga:clientId', tracker.get('clientId'));   });   ga('set', 'checkProtocolTask', null);      ga('set', 'page', '/mlb/los-angeles-angels/cubs-kyle-tucker-breaks-home-run-drought-with-first-bomb-since-july');   ga('set', 'title', 'Cubs’ Kyle Tucker breaks home run drought with first bomb since July');   ga('send', 'pageview');</script>        <style type="text/css" media="all">            body {    background: transparent;    margin: 0px;}h1, h2, h3 {    color: #DDDDDD;    font-family: "SFUIText-Semibold";    margin: 30px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 21px;    line-height: 125%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}header {    margin: 0px;    height: 0px;    display: none;}p {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 15px 15px 15px 15px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}p > img {    margin-left: -15px;    width: calc(100% + 30px);}a {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;    text-decoration: underline;}ul {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 3px 10px 3px 10px;    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}ol {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    font-size: 17px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.23px;}img {    margin: 0px;    width: 100%;    height: auto;}blockquote {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.8);    font-family: "SFUIText-Medium";    margin: 30px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 19px;    line-height: 135%;    letter-spacing: -0.41px;}blockquote p {    margin: 0px;}.op-tracker, .op-ad {    display: none;    height: 0px;}article > figure {    margin: 0px;}figcaption {    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.7);    font-family: "SFUIText-Regular";    margin: 10px 15px 30px 15px;    font-size: 13px;}iframe {    width: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;    margin: 0px;    border: 0;}.vine-embed {    height: __SCREEN_SIZE_WIDTH__;}.twitter-tweet, .instagram-media {    margin-left: 15px !important;    margin-right: 15px !important;    width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;}.clutchpoints-widget {    /*margin: 10px 15px 10px 15px !important;*/    /*margin-top: 1px !important;*/    padding-top: 10px;    /*margin-left: 15px !important;*/    /*margin-right: 15px !important;*/    /*width: __SCREEN_CONTENT_SIZE_WIDTH__ !important;*/}        </style>        <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8" />    </head>    <body>        <article id="mvp-content-main"><header><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kyle-Tucker-cover.jpg"></figure><h1>Cubs’ Kyle Tucker breaks home run drought with first bomb since July</h1><time class="op-published" datetime="2025-08-22T20:17:57-07:00">August 22nd, 8:17pm</time><time class="op-modified" datetime="2025-08-22T20:17:57-07:00">August 22nd, 8:17pm</time><address><a>Brayden Haena</a>Brayden Haena is an Associate Editor at ClutchPoints. He's a die-hard San Francisco Giants fan and a football fanatic. In addition to sports writing, he works for Arizona Football in the Player Personnel and Recruiting department and formerly served as the Defensive Coordinator for Heritage High School.</address><h3 class="op-kicker">Chicago Cubs</h3><figure class="op-ad"></figure></header><p>Kyle Tucker finally broke through. <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-chicago-kyle-tucker-brewers">The Chicago Cubs outfielder ended his month-long power outage</a> on Friday night with a Statcast-projected 405-foot home run in the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels. The solo shot to right field not only put the Cubs ahead early but also marked Tucker’s <a href="https://www.mlb.com/news/kyle-tucker-ends-drought-with-leadoff-homer-against-angels" rel="noopener">first extra-base hit</a> since July 30 in Milwaukee.</p><p>For Tucker, the drought was a frustrating one. He had gone 25 games without a long ball, the second-longest homerless stretch of his career. The only longer dry spell came at the very start of his big-league journey, when he went 27 games without leaving the yard between 2018 and 2019 as a rookie with the Houston Astros.</p><p>This latest slump came during what has been an up-and-down first season in Chicago. After arriving in a blockbuster trade over the winter, <a href="https://clutchpoints.com/mlb/chicago-cubs/cubs-news-craig-counsell-explains-kyle-tucker-benching-move-amid-slump">Tucker initially looked every bit like the superstar the Cubs hoped</a> for, posting a .931 OPS with 17 homers and 20 stolen bases through June. But his production dipped sharply over the past two months, leaving fans concerned — and even voicing their frustrations with boos at Wrigley Field earlier this week.</p><h2><b>Kyle Tucker ends the home run drought, gives the Cubs the early lead</b></h2><figure><img src="https://wp.clutchpoints.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Kyle-Tucker-1.jpg"><figcaption>Kirby Lee-Imagn Images</figcaption></figure><p>Manager Craig Counsell gave Tucker a few days off to reset after Monday’s rough outing against the Brewers, during which he went hitless and looked out of sync. On Thursday, Tucker returned to the lineup, and by Friday he rewarded that patience with a long-awaited blast.</p><p>Part of the context for Tucker’s struggles was revealed this week. Counsell confirmed that Tucker played through a hairline fracture in his right hand suffered back in June. Though the injury is now fully healed, it’s possible the lingering soreness contributed to his dip in performance. “Is it possible that playing through it changed some things? Yeah, absolutely,” Counsell admitted. “But he wanted to play.”</p><p>The numbers tell the story. Tucker was red-hot in June, slashing .311/.404/.578 with five homers and nine doubles. Once July began, however, his production cratered. He entered Friday with a .560 OPS since July 1 and no homers since July 19.</p><p>Counsell suggested Tucker used his recent time off to focus on mechanics and approach. “He’s trying things that are going to help,” the manager said. “This is where you target a couple things and grab some feels from those things. Then you go with a particular adjustment.”</p><p>The Cubs are hopeful Friday night’s swing is a sign that Tucker is trending back toward his true form. After all, he has been one of the most consistent stars in the game since 2021, producing at least 4.0 fWAR every season. He’s also set to be the headliner of this winter’s free-agent class, with industry insiders projecting a contract in the $400–500 million range.</p><p>For now, though, the Cubs will take any sign that their star is heating up again — and Tucker’s towering drive in Anaheim could be just what he needed to get rolling.</p><figure class="op-tracker"></figure></article>    </body></html>

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