The Los Angeles Angels are gearing up for the upcoming baseball season with renewed hopes and expectations. The team has undergone significant changes over the past few years, with a new general manager and coaching staff in place, and several new players joining the roster. With a fresh start and renewed optimism, the Angels are poised to make a run at the postseason in 2023.

The Roster

One of the biggest reasons for this optimism is superstar outfielder Mike Trout. Trout is expected to be fully healthy and ready to go for the start of the 2023 campaign. Trout has been one of the best players in baseball for nearly a decade and his leadership will be crucial for the Angels' success this season. 

In addition to Trout, the Angels have a number of other talented players who will play key roles in the team's success this season. Shohei Ohtani, the two-way sensation who can hit and pitch at an elite level, will once again be a major factor for the Angels. He’ll lead the six-man rotation and will also serve as the club’s every day designated hitter. Most recently, Ohtani played for Team Japan in the World Baseball Classic championship where they dethroned the United States and claimed the 2023 trophy. In addition, veteran Anthony Rendon returns for another season and is ready to contribute to the Angels’ push toward the postseason.
 

On the pitching side, the Angels have several talented arms who will be relied upon to keep the team in games. The rotation will likely be anchored by Shohei Ohtani, Tyler Anderson, Patrick Sandoval, Reid Detmers and José Suarez. Various candidates are competing for the sixth spot, which could be a swing role, including Griffin Canning, Chris Rodriguez, Chase Silseth, Jaime Barría and Tucker Davidson. In addition, the team has added depth thanks to new additions like Brandon Drury, Gio Urshela, Brett Phillips, and Hunter Renfroe, who have bolstered the roster after injuries to key Angels players in 2022 hurt the team.

The Competition

Of course, the Angels will face stiff competition in the American League West division. The Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, and Seattle Mariners are all talented teams with playoff aspirations of their own. But if the Angels can stay healthy and get consistent performances from their star players, they have the potential to be one of the best teams in the league.

The Games

The Angels begin their 63rd season with an Opening Day game on Thursday, March 30 at Oakland. This will be the ninth time the Angels will open a season against the Athletics–their second most against any opponent after the Mariners.

After a six-game road trip against the Athletics (March 30, April 1-2) and Mariners (April 3-5) and an off day, the Angels will host the Toronto Blue Jays on April 7 at Angel Stadium.

The home schedule features a pair of 9-game homestands, the first of which includes games against the Twins (May 19-21), Red Sox (May 22-24) and Marlins (May 26-28). The second nine-game homestand takes place immediately following the All-Star Break against the Astros (July 14-16), Yankees (July 17-19) and Pirates (July 21-23).
 

Starting this season, every MLB team will now face each of the other 29 clubs which means the Angels will play a franchise record 46 total Interleague games, including four against the Dodgers. During the Freeway Series action, the Angels will host the Dodgers in a pair of games (June 20-21) and will visit Dodger Stadium for two games (July 7-8) to conclude the first half of the season.

Ultimately, the success of the Angels in 2023 will come down to execution on the field. They have the talent to compete with anyone, but they will need to play smart, fundamental baseball in order to win games and make a run for the postseason. With a healthy Mike Trout leading the way, anything is possible for the Los Angeles Angels in 2023.

Visit the Angels website to buy game tickets and to learn more about the latest Angels news.