Five Keys for the LA Angels for a Successful 2020 Season.

CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 03: Albert Pujols #5 helps carry Felix Pena #64 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim off the field after he was injured covering first base to retire Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning at Progressive Field on August 3, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - AUGUST 03: Albert Pujols #5 helps carry Felix Pena #64 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim off the field after he was injured covering first base to retire Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Indians in the second inning at Progressive Field on August 3, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by David Maxwell/Getty Images)
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HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 2, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX – SEPTEMBER 02: Shohei Ohtani #17 of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on September 2, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)

#1 – Shohei Ohtani needs to become staff ace and put TJ surgery behind him, while hitting well too.

The biggest key to the Angels in 2020 is Shohei Ohtani.  When Ohtani burst on the scene in 2018 the stadium was abuzz in anticipation and Ohtani-Son would not disappoint going 4-2 with a 3.31 ERA and 60 strikeouts in only 51.1 innings.  Ohtani also hit .25 with 22 homers and 61 RBIs in 328 at-bats, which was good enough to win the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

Ohtani did not pitch after mid-June in 2018 due to a torn UCL that required Tommy John surgery that kept him off the mound for the past 18 months.  Ohtani’s return to the mound in 2020 could be just what the doctor ordered.  Especially since the Angels were not able to sign or acquire an ace pitcher this off-season.

The Angels could still get some more pitching help, but a healthy Ohtani will go a long way in bolstering the Angels pitching staff and also solidifying the Angels batting order.

If Ohtani can do this in 2020 without suffering a new injury the Angels will be in good shape with what they have right now.  Let’s hope for the best and try to be optimistic.

If the Angels and the players I have mentioned can do these five things they will be popping the champagne bottles in the end of September as they will be making the playoffs for the first time since 2014.  Hopefully they will be up to the task and make the 2020 season a memorable one.

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