Chris Taylor returned on July 22, but the Angels' bullpen faltered in a 7-5 loss to the Mets, who were powered by Soto and Alonso. Read how the Halos' woes continued.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of conflicting emotions for Angels fans. The long-awaited return of All-Star Chris Taylor from the injured list brought a wave of optimism, a feeling that was unfortunately washed away by the familiar tide of a late-inning collapse. The Halos dropped the series opener to the Mets 7-5 at Citi Field, a game that perfectly encapsulated the team's 2025 season: flashes of brilliance undone by a lack of depth, particularly on the mound.
The Angels dropped to 49-52 on the season... and remain fourth in the AL West, now 9 games behind Houston.
The game itself felt like one we've seen too many times. Kyle Hendricks battled on the mound, but the Mets' potent lineup, featuring Juan Soto and Pete Alonso, eventually broke through. The Angels' offense showed life, with Taylor Ward continuing his impressive power display and Zach Neto providing a spark. But as has been the case so often, the game was lost in the later innings. The bullpen, stretched thin and missing key arms, couldn't slam the door, allowing a late rally that sealed the Angels' fate and dropped them further below .500.
The brightest spot of the day was undoubtedly the activation of Chris Taylor. After more than a month on the IL with a broken left hand, CT3 is back in the fold. His versatility and veteran leadership have been sorely missed. Before the injury, he'd only played 10 games, but his presence immediately makes the lineup deeper and the bench stronger. In a corresponding move, Gustavo Campero was optioned to Salt Lake. Getting Taylor back is a huge boost, but the question remains if it's enough to turn the tide.
You can't talk about the bullpen's struggles without acknowledging the names on the injured list. The absence of high-leverage arms like Ben Joyce (shoulder) and closer Carlos Estévez (thumb), not to mention starter Griffin Canning (Achilles), has put immense strain on the entire pitching staff. These aren't just minor injuries; these are core pieces of the pitching infrastructure. Until some of these arms return, or the front office makes a move, holding late leads will continue to be a monumental challenge.
With Chris Taylor back, the lineup has more firepower. But Tuesday's loss is a stark reminder that games are often won and lost on the mound. The Angels are now 49-52 and slipping in the standings. With the trade deadline looming, the pressure is mounting on the front office. Will they buy to reinforce the pitching staff for a desperate playoff push, or will they sell and look towards 2026? The next week will be crucial in defining the direction of this franchise.
