A trip to Arlington: The Angels in a Rut
Apr 27, 2025 - Written by Jesus Barrera
Photo Credit : @Angels - X
Taking a trip to another city and watching your favorite team will forever be on the bucket list of the avid baseball fan. Aside from watching the Halos at Dodger Stadium in my native SoCal, I made my way out to Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona in 2021 and I just paid a visit to Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home to the 2023 World Champion, Texas Rangers. The Angels began the road trip by taking 2 of 3 games against Tampa Bay. After that they dropped 2 of 3 in Houston and they were then swept by the Texas Rangers.
The Angels used to excel on road trips to Texas, but that hasn’t been the case in recent years. Daikin Park, previously known as Minute Maid Park, has been a house of horrors for the Halos. Dating back to 2015, the Angels hold a road record of 30-58 when visiting the Houston Astros. The Angels visiting record vs. the Texas Rangers is a little better, but they’re still under the .500 mark. Anaheim is 41-50 when playing the Rangers on the road. The last several games in Texas have sent the Angels into a tailspin. They held an 8-4 record when leaving Tampa, after getting done with both Texas teams they got back to the Big A at an even .500.
The first game in Arlington ended with the Rangers defeating the Angels by a score of 4-0. Yusei Kikuchi had a solid start, going 6 innings and allowing 1 earned run. However, the bats were no match for right hander, Tyler Mahle. Mahle also went 6 innings and struck out 9. The second game of the series saw the Angels fall 3-1. The bats stayed quiet as old friend Patrick Corbin earned his 1st win in 2025. The final game of the series was a back and forth affair that ended 5-3 in favor of the Rangers. Young starter Jack Kochanowicz was hit hard early. Texas led 4-3 going into the 7th when SS Corey Seager hit a solo shot off Ryan Zeferjahn, sealing a 5-3 Ranger win. Kumar Rocker earned his first major league win against the Angels.
Globe Life Field is one of the newer ballparks and along with the hospitable folks from the great state of Texas, it was a great experience. This trip to Texas will probably be the only one I take for the remainder of the baseball season. I highly recommend visiting Globe Life to any baseball fan. The Pluckers and Whataburger restaurants are can’t miss food spots within the ballpark.
SS Zach Neto came off the IL and joined the Angels back in Anaheim. On the back of Jo Adell late game heroics, the Angels took 2 of 3 from the San Francisco Giants over that weekend. The Pittsburgh Pirates came into town and the offensive struggles remained. The Angels avoided the dominant Paul Skenes, but they still lost the series. Jose Soriano was hit hard by a limited Pirate offense. Old friend Andrew Heaney struck out 9 over 6 innings in a shutout win. The Angels rescued the last game of the series Thursday night. The Angels are currently on the road playing the Minnesota Twins. They have dropped the first two ball games. The lackluster pitching and offensive efforts remain as they are 4-10 over their last 14 games. The strikeout problem that they have been dealing with is abysmal. Over that 14 game stretch, Angel hitters have struck out 154 times and only walked 17 times.
No it's not too early to be negative, remember the Angels hold the longest playoff drought in MLB. Bad leadership beginning with owner Arte Moreno has plagued the franchise. The team has rapidly recycled through general managers and managers ever since Mike Scioscia stepped down in 2018. The neglect of minor leaguers, staff shortages in player development and scouting, obsolete facilities, are among the many things that have negatively impacted the major league ball club. Current GM Perry Minasian is more than likely on his way out, his bad moves sincerely outweigh the good ones. The common denominator at the helm will remain and the revolving door will continue. A sale of the team might be looking like the only way out.
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