There are some stats that make you realize the Los Angeles Angels aren’t like other MLB franchises. This is one of them.
With a 6-2 win over the Houston Astros on Friday, the Angels moved to 2-0 for the first time since 2007. That’s a 19-year span that also includes the entirety of Mike Trout’s professional career.
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The Angels drafted the three-time MVP in the 2009 MLB Draft.
That span of time also includes Albert Pujols and Shohei Ohtani’s entire time with the franchise, which hasn’t reached the playoffs since 2014.
Trout homered in both of the Angels’ two wins, with the first coming in their 3-0 win on Opening Day. So far this season, he is 4-for-6 with two homers and four walks, which is an encouraging start after a down few seasons.
Trout’s commentary after the game, via MLB.com’s Rhett Bollinger:
“It’s a good start to the year. The last two games have been great team wins from everybody. Everybody’s contributing. Pitching staff is making pitches and then timely hitting.”
Obviously, two wins is not a definitive sign a team has turned a corner. The Angels face long odds to just reach the playoffs — they are an AL West-worst +2200 to win the division — but they at least wiped away some negative history on Friday.
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They have two more games against the Astros this weekend, then a road series against the Chicago Cubs next week before their home opener against the Seattle Mariners next Friday.