The Los Angeles Angels defeated the host Athletics 10-5 on Thursday, May 22, in West Sacramento, Calif., thanks to a grand slam by Taylor Ward and a single homer by Logan O’Hoppe in the seventh inning. The Angels have won seven in a row after sweeping the four-game series.
They are now only a game and a half away from second place in the American League West. The highlight of their current run was the sweep of the crosstown rival Los Angeles Dodgers, a series that made a lot of noise and brought life to a club that had seemed doomed only a few weeks earlier.
Fans Want To See These 2 Teams in the World Series
When the Angels hired manager Ron Washington, he believed his team had the ability to chase down and overtake the other teams in the AL West. In a bold statement in his introductory press conference in November 2023, he stated, “Once we get things together and we get these guys together in spring training and start our work, our whole focus is going to be on running the West down.”
He then doubled down: “And you can take that to the bank and deposit it.”
@mlbonfox “And you can take that to the bank and deposit it” 😂 #ronwashington #angels #mlb
Amid their winning streak, this quote resurfaced, and fans have gained confidence in Los Angeles as they have begun to live up to Washington’s expectations. “Angels and Dodgers in the World Series. This is the reality I want in 2025,” said one fan.
Angels and Dodgers in the World Series. This is the reality I want in 2025
— Red Cornhustle (@cornhustle37871)
Other fans recalled the iconic moment, with one fan exclaiming, “And deposit it!”
“Good thing I didn’t pull my money…. WE COMING BABY!!!!” said one more fan.
One user replied with a GIF that expressed how fans are feeling about Washington’s claim coming to fruition:
— YaBoyJeff✝️🇺🇸 (@Jeff93491871)
In a winnable AL West, the Angels’ offense, led by Ward, O’Hoppe, and Zach Neto, has finally started clicking and pulling the team forward.
But while fans are hopeful, the Angels will soon face some big tests: their 50th game of the season (vs. the Miami Marlins) and the New York Yankees at the one-third mark of the season, four games later. That’s a good time to take stock of where this team really stands.
The Angels need to realistically assess their situation instead of getting swept up in the streak. We’ve seen this movie before. In 2023, they pushed hard at the deadline, trying to get Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout to the playoffs. They fell apart in August, waived several players, and tried to duck the luxury tax before the season ended.
This year, they have some pieces they could move. Tyler Anderson, despite a rough outing in Sacramento, has been their best starter, but he’s on an expiring deal and tends to wear down late in seasons. The Dodgers might even bring him back for some innings while their rotation heals.
Yoán Moncada has been a quiet bright spot at third base. He’s played solid defense and hit well on a show-me deal — traits that could draw interest from contenders.
But who knows? If they sweep the Marlins and Yankees this week, maybe they decide this is finally the year they cash in on Washington’s promise to “run down the West.”