3 Angels who desperately need to step up to prevent an embarrassing franchise record

With four weeks remaining in the MLB season, the Los Angeles Angels are on pace for the first 100-loss season in franchise history. Entering Monday, their record was 52-85, a .380 win percentage, which puts them on pace for a 63-99 record on the season. Putting them dangerously close to a franchise first, losing 100 games in a season.

The franchise has existed under different names since 1961, with its lowest loss total being 99 games back in 2024. Before that, it was 95 in 1968 and 1980.

3 Angels who need to step up to avoid setting a franchise record

Mike Trout

In the last 30 days, Trout is hitting .232 and has a .685 OPS, playing 26 of the 27 games. He has just two home runs, five doubles, and eight RBI. While a month of vintage Mike Trout is probably a pipe dream, repeating a month like May, where he had a .793 OPS, nine extra-base hits, and 10 RBIs, could be exactly what the Angels need to get those 11 wins.

Jose Fermin

It might sound odd to say a middle reliever is a key player in getting wins, but a strong bullpen can be a big help in closing out games. Los Angeles relievers have a 4.00 ERA in the last 30 days, 20th in baseball; not the worst, but could be better. Part of that comes from Fermin.

The righty has a 5.23 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in the last 30 days, with batters hitting .318 against him. Fermin has been solid in his second year in the majors, with a 3.28 ERA in 46.2 innings, striking out 55 and walking 21. Before the last 30 days, he had a 2.67 ERA. Fermin has seen almost equal time in the sixth, seventh, and eighth this season. Getting back to the pre-August version of himself will help shore up the late innings, especially with Ben Joyce back in the fold.

Vaughn Grissom

Grissom was an underrated pickup over the offseason and has had some nice stretches this season, but not recently. Grissom has played 24 of the last 27 games and is hitting .200 with a .561 OPS. He only has six extra-base hits and only has three walks while striking out 24 times.

The Angels are at a point of the season where they are auditioning players for next season, and with rosters expanding on September 1st, Grissom's recent play is going to hurt his playing time. He has shown he can be a really solid bat, though. In his 24 games before the last 24, the righty hit .321 with an .839 OPS and 19 RBI. If he can even just find a middle ground between those two 24-game stretches, he can be a key piece in finding 11 wins.

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