The Angels host the Mariners on July 24, 2025, seeking redemption after a sweep. Can Mike Trout make history, nearing 1,000 RBIs and 400 home runs?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
The flight back from New York must have been a tense one. After a demoralizing sweep at the hands of the Mets, the Los Angeles Angels return to the Big A on Thursday bruised, battered, but not yet broken. The frustration is palpable, boiling over in Wednesday's finale with ejections for the coaching staff. Yet, as they prepare to host the division-rival Seattle Mariners, a new homestand offers a clean slate, a chance at redemption, and the tantalizing prospect of witnessing history from the one and only Mike Trout.
Mike Trout sits just one RBI shy of 1,000 and four home runs away from the exclusive 400-homer club.
You can't talk about Thursday's opener without acknowledging the pressure cooker the team just escaped. The frustration of a tight Wild Card race came to a head in the eighth inning against the Mets when both interim manager Ray Montgomery and offensive coordinator Tim Laker were tossed for arguing balls and strikes. The ejections, following a controversial strikeout of Luis Rengifo, were a clear signal: this team is tired of letting games slip away and is fighting for every call. While a loss is a loss, that fire is exactly what the Angels will need to channel against Seattle.
The slate is wiped clean tonight as the Angels (48-50) open a pivotal four-game series against the Mariners. Despite the recent skid, the Halos remain just 4.5 games behind the Red Sox for the final AL Wild Card spot, making every single one of these games critical. Lefty Yusei Kikuchi (4-6, 3.13 ERA) gets the ball, hoping to set a positive tone against Mariners righty Logan Evans (3-3, 3.81 ERA). The lineup also gets a welcome boost with the return of outfielder Chris Taylor from the injured list, adding valuable depth as the team navigates its roster challenges.
Beyond the box score, all eyes will be on Mike Trout every time he steps to the plate. After launching his 396th career homer and collecting his 999th RBI against the Mets, the future Hall of Famer is on the verge of two monumental achievements. His next RBI will make him just the ninth active player to reach 1,000. Meanwhile, he's just four long balls shy of joining the ultra-exclusive 400-homer club. It's a powerful silver lining and a compelling reason for every fan to tune in, as any swing could be historic.
This homestand feels like a turning point. Will the Angels channel their frustration into a winning streak and make a serious push in the Wild Card race? Or will the struggles continue as the trade deadline looms? With Mike Trout chasing history and a crucial series underway, the next four games against the Mariners will tell us a lot about the character and future of this 2025 Angels squad. First pitch is at 6:38 PM PT. You won't want to miss it.
