The struggling Angels face the Phillies on July 18, 2025. Can Taylor Ward's bat overcome the Halos' pitching woes against Kyle Schwarber's power? Find out.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The dog days of summer are hitting hard, and for the Los Angeles Angels, the heat is on. Staring up from fourth place in the AL West, the Halos fly into Philadelphia for a weekend series against the formidable Phillies, a matchup that feels less like a routine interleague set and more like a gut-check for a team struggling to find its footing at 47-49.
The Angels' pitching staff holds a 4.63 ERA, ranking a concerning 25th in Major League Baseball.
The Angels are set to open a tough three-game series at Citizens Bank Park against the 55-41 Philadelphia Phillies, a team with serious postseason aspirations. While the Halos' offense has held its own, averaging 4.4 runs per game, the pitching has been the team's Achilles' heel. The challenge is immense, facing a potent lineup featuring Kyle Schwarber's 30 homers and Trea Turner's .289 average. For the Angels to have a chance, they'll need big performances from their own offensive leaders, Taylor Ward (21 HR, 65 RBI) and the consistent Zach Neto (.279 AVG). Complicating matters, neither team had officially announced a starting pitcher for tonight's opener as of this morning, leaving fans in suspense about who will take the mound in this critical game.
The front office has been busy trying to find solutions, leading to a flurry of recent transactions. The need for pitching reinforcements is clear, with LHP Jake Eder being recalled from Triple-A and RHP Carson Fulmer's contract being selected. These moves were necessitated by the tough news that veteran reliever Hunter Strickland was transferred to the 60-day IL. To backfill the system, the team also recently signed a trio of players in third baseman Slate Alford, second baseman Nick Rodriguez, and RHP Lucas Mahlstedt, signaling an effort to bolster organizational depth amidst the big-league struggles.
The roster churn is directly tied to the team's health. While Strickland's shoulder inflammation represents a significant long-term loss for the bullpen, there has been some good news. Infielder Yoán Moncada was activated from the 10-day IL on July 8, providing an immediate boost and a veteran presence in the lineup. However, the infield depth took another hit with promising rookie Christian Moore landing on the 10-day IL with a left thumb sprain. Juggling these injuries has become a daily challenge, impacting lineup consistency as the team heads into this pivotal series.
This weekend in Philadelphia is more than just three games. It's a barometer for the rest of the season. Can the offense, led by Ward and Neto, outslug their pitching woes? Will the new faces on the roster provide a desperately needed spark? The answers will not only determine the outcome of this series but could very well shape the front office's approach as the trade deadline looms.
