Both The Dodgers & Angels Have Some Quirks Heading Into MLB’s Second Half

With division leads for both the LA Dodgers and LA Angels, the question now becomes which team is more fit for a deep playoff run starting this Fall — and the answer isn’t always as easy as you might think.

The Angels found a way to catch up to the Houston Astros for the division lead in the interesting — to say the least — AL West.

As for the Dodgers, it hasn’t been a matter of playing catch up, but rather trying to find their dominant stride in the right time as the season enters the final stretch.

Because if the Dodgers don’t find themselves soon, it’ll only be problematic come playoff time.

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And that’s no bueno.

Anaheim’s late game heroics have been evident, especially in their most recent endeavor against the Boston Red Sox — a series that’s featured two straight shutouts in favor of the Halos.

One of the Dodgers’ biggest weaknesses is their pitching rotation; and without any depth besides Zach Greinke and Clayton Kershaw on the mound LA will struggle against probable playoff opponents like the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Above all, the last thing they want is to beat themselves.

The Angels’ biggest concern heading into playoff baseball is whether or not they can perform at home.

Last season, despite having one of the top records in all of professional baseball, the Angels couldn’t even muster a win with home field advantage against the then-Wild Card Kansas City Royals.

But that’s not entirely the Angels’ fault, the Royals of last season were just that good.

In the same breath, though, the Angels should’ve been good enough to get at least one victory out of that match up.

Thankfully for them that’s the past, so there’s no reason to hold a grudge or cling to it too much.

But if they don’t learn from their previous mistakes then we still have a problem on our hands.

If not physical, then definitely mental.

Another flaw in playoff baseball with the Dodgers is how they compare to teams like the Cardinals.

St. Louis has been responsible for half of the Dodgers’ last half-dozen playoff exits and this year’s Cardinals don’t look any weaker than teams LA has faced before.

That’s bad news for the boys in blue if they can turn things around ASAP.

From the cluster of surprise teams in this year’s major leagues, the Houston Astros are a sleeper team that could be problematic for the Angels come playoff time.

And that’s only because the Royals of 2015 aren’t a Wild Card team — they’re the real deal.

If the Angels can’t find a way to beat the sleeper teams, they won’t get anywhere anytime soon.

Doesn’t matter how good they do in the regular season.

So what’s the consistency here with both teams?

Bottom Line: The best change starts from within.

Change is needed. Change is necessary.

And most of all, change is not an option.

It’s mandatory.