Los Angeles Angels can gain massive momentum with wins in Tampa

The Los Angeles Angels are across the country to square off in a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays that could catapult the team.

The Los Angeles Angels had an off-day on Wednesday to travel across the country to Florida in preparation for a four-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays. This cross-country flight comes after a two-game home sweep over the Los Angeles Dodgers, in which both games were decided 5-3.

A key home run by Mike Trout in the first game of the series tied it at three before the Dodgers brought in Joe Kelly, who managed to strike out the side, not allow a hit and still surrender two runs to the Angels.

In the second game, the Angels scored big in the first inning to give the Dodgers a 5-0 hole to dig out of. While the offense was not great the rest of the game, the Angels were able to keep the Dodgers from getting that one big hit as the team left 15 runners on base.

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In both games, the Angels came up with key outs when they needed them and kept a team that has been known for offensive outbursts this year at bay. Sure, a lot of Dodger fans blame the Dodgers’ offense, but the Angels’ pitching certainly deserves credit.

Those kinds of wins is what gives a team momentum to go on a lengthy run. The Los Angeles Angels easily could have lost both of those games but buckled down and got the job done. It means much more with it being the Freeway Series rival.

Angel fans are hoping that momentum bleeds into this four-game weekend series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Like the Dodgers, the Rays are also currently in playoff position with a 41-26 record, albeit they have lost two games in a row.

The Angels are going to have to jump on the Rays early, like they did the Dodgers on Tuesday, and hope to hold them down with smart, situational pitching. If the Angels can do that, there is no reason why the team cannot win three out of the four games.

And if the Halos are able to do so, it could be the start to yet another hot run that puts the Angels in a playoff position. The Angels have been one of the streakiest teams in baseball this year, both positively and negatively, and this could be a positive streak that somewhat lasts.

After the Rays, the Angels have a four-game road series against the 24-42 Toronto Blue Jays. While it is a road series, the Angels should also be able to win three out of four of that series as well.

A 6-2 run over their next eight would put the Angels at 39-37, the first time being over .500 since mid-April. The Halos would then have a “prove it” series against the Cardinals in St. Louis before returning home for a six-game homestand against the Cincinnati Reds and Oakland Athletics to end the month.

There is still a lot of baseball left to be played before July rolls around but the Los Angeles Angels very well could be in wild-card position when the calendar turns over. It all starts with what will hopefully be a good series against the Tampa Bay Rays.