Apr 20, 2025; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Angels starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (16) is removed from the game by manager Ron Washington (37) as catcher Logan O'Hoppe (14), first baseman Nolan Schanuel (18) and second baseman Tim Anderson (77) watch in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

Angels Predicted to Finish in Last Place in AL West Despite Hot Start

Originally posted on Los Angeles Angels on SI
By Jason Fray | Last updated Apr 28, 2025 5:50 PM ET

A recent losing streak has taken away from the momentum the Los Angeles Angels had to begin the year.

Surprisingly out of the gate, the Halos compiled a 10-5 record. Since then, the Angels have lost eight of their last 10 contests. As of April 28, Los Angeles is sitting at 12-15 — good for dead-last in the AL West.

To be fair, the Angels are only 3.5 games back from first place. It's also quite early in the year. There's plenty of time for the team to gel and string some wins together in what appears to be a very wide-open division.

The Angels are 4-10 over their last 14 games

via @SamBlum3 pic.twitter.com/VR6yaRBZza
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 26, 2025

Kerry Miller of Bleacher Report offered predictions on all of the divisions within Major League Baseball. It included a detailed look into the AL West, as well as a guess as to how the final standings will look.

Updated AL West Projections

Texas Rangers
Houston Astros (wild card)
Seattle Mariners (wild card)
Athletics
Los Angeles Angels

Miller doesn't have much faith in the Angels moving forward. The franchise brought in a handful of decorated veterans (Kyle Hendricks, Travis D'Arnaud, Yusei Kikuchi, Jorge Soler) over the course of the offseason to try and stabilize the club. The hope was these players would aid in bridging the gap between young, green players and those who were either afterthoughts or ones that didn't have long-term futures with the team.

D'arnaud has been disastrous at the plate thus far. Kikuchi was brought in to be the team's ace. He's currently 0-4 with a 4.31 ERA. Hendricks has a 6.65 ERA in five starts. Mike Trout has already clubbed nin home runs — though he's uncharacteristically hitting below .200.

As stated above, there's enough time for the team to build proper habits which result in winning. There's not a single team within the AL West looking like a proverbial juggernaut. All of them are flawed in some way — whether it be a team struggling to hit (Seattle, Houston), one playing in a Minor League park (Athletics), or a squad featuring older injury-prone players (Texas).

All of these facets should collectively give the Angels some optimism and hope to stick around in the division race and prove many naysayers wrong.

For more Angels news, head over to Angels on SI.

This article first appeared on Los Angeles Angels on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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