3. Los Angeles Angels
Spoiler Alert: The Angels are the lone AL team on this list. The AL is shaping up very nicely so far this year, but that leaves the Angels the odd man out. As a team trying to get Mike Trout back to the postseason, they can’t afford to be the odd man out. It isn’t good enough for them, and despite the 6th biggest payroll in baseball, they have to keep going for it this year.
With a top-10 offense and top-10 pitching staff, they have all the abilities they need to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, they play in the best division in the AL. They have to compete with the defending World Series champions and the suddenly outstanding Mariners. That shouldn’t stop them from going for it. Despite what the records say, the Angels still have scored more runs and have a lower staff ERA than the Mariners. So, while the Mariners are awaiting Robinson Cano’s return, the Angels need to make a push.
They showed by signing Justin Upton that they were going for it this year. Now, acquiring someone like Kelvin Herrera or Zach Britton to fix their 19th best bullpen would be critical for the Angels to get Mike Trout back into the playoffs.