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Poor Stats Show That Shohei Ohtani Cannot Keep Los Angeles Angels Above the Water Alone
Los Angeles Angels and Shohei Ohtani had a heartbreaking exit from the 2021 season, failing to book their place in the post-season. Moreover, statistics show Angels have not been producing their best team average for the past six years.
Notably, the Angels have the highest-paid MLB player, Mike Trout, and a rare two-way player, Shohei Ohtani in their squad. However, they still couldn’t capitalize on it to reach the post-season.
Los Angeles Angels dependent on Shohei Ohtani
Established in 1961, the Los Angeles Angels have clinched the World Series title only once in 2002. Even though the team has some of the best players in the world, they have not made it to the post-season in the past seven years.
The last time Angels competed in the American League Division Series was in 2014. And, in total, they have appeared in nine American League Division Series from 1961 to 2021.
Continuing their poor run, stats prove, in the past six years, Angels are the only Major League Baseball team to finish under .500. In the 2021 season, Los Angeles Angels’ team had a percentage of .475. While their AL West counterparts and World Series finalists, Houston Astros had an average of .586.
The Los Angeles Angels are the only Major League Baseball team to have finished under .500 each of the last six seasons
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) November 15, 2021
It would be fair, but upsetting for the team to say, that the Angels are heavily relying on their star Shohei Ohtani. The 27-year-old joined the franchise in 2018. Remarkably, Shohei Ohtani is one of the best players in MLB history, and the second two-way star after legendary Babe Ruth.
While his team has been failing to reach the top positions, Ohtani has still stood out and made a name for himself this season.
Shohei Ohtani’s the front-runner for MVP
Many players grabbed the spotlight in 2021; however, Ohtani’s performance was extraordinary. Not only did the Japanese player outclass his counterparts with his batting skills, but also with his incredible pitching skills.
ARLINGTON, TEXAS – APRIL 28: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels takes the field for pregame warmups before the Angels take on the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on April 28, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
Ohtani smashed 46 home runs, 100 RBIs, and clinched 26 stolen bases with his bat. Whereas as a pitcher, he had 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings pitched. Notably, no other player in the history of baseball has secured 10+homers and 100+strikeouts. Ohtani is also the potential winner of the 2021 MVP award, which will be announced soon.
Evidently, the Los Angeles Angels have been dependent on their two-way player for results. If the Angels want to break their losing streak in 2022, they would need to give Ohtani the support from players on the mound. Do you think Los Angeles Angels will capitalize on Ohtani’s skills to reach the post-season in 2022?
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