Welcome to the first, and possibly last given the way the Angels have played lately, MWAH rooting guide for you, the noble Angel fan. Each week until the end of the regular season — or until it becomes laughable to suggest the Angels could even qualify for the postseason — we’ll inform you of your proper rooting allegiances across Major League Baseball. The mission: get the Angels to the playoffs.
Hat tip to LA Kings blog The Royal Half for this post’s inspiration. I won’t hold it against them that I’m a (bitter) Ducks fan.
The Skinny
AL West – Third place, 6-1/2 games behind Houston
AL Wild Card – Fourth place, 3-1/2 games behind Texas for the second slot
Playoff Odds (entering Sunday) – Baseball Prospectus: 16.7%; FanGraphs: 17.8%
Early Week Series
Rays at Orioles
These are the same team. I have no idea which one is better or which poses a larger threat to the Angels for the second Wild Card. The American League playoff landscape is only slightly less bleak than Fury Road.
Root: One of these teams to win two of three games. I don’t care who, choose your own adventure.
Indians at Blue Jays
If the Angels qualify for the coin flip game, would you rather it be against the Yankees or the team that just People’s Elbowed them into oblivion a week ago? That’s what I thought.
Root: Jays to win the East and stay the hell away from the Halos for as long as possible.
Yankees at Red Sox
The Angels realistically can’t catch the Yankees for the top spot in the Wild Card standings. So should we root for anyone in this series?
Root: NOOOOOOPE.
Mariners at Astros
Hey, with all the games remaining against the Astros the AL West race isn’t over. And, like, Houston’s young players could tire out and stuff. Wait where are you going?
Root: Mariners and miracles.
Rangers at Padres
Texas are the Angel’s primary challenge for the final playoff slot. Hopefully most of their players get lost on a tour inside one of San Diego’s many, many breweries.
Root: Padres
White Sox at Twins
How are the Twins still in the race? They could end up winning the World Series and I would still expect them to not make the playoffs.
Root: White Sox
Weekend Series
Twins at Astros
Because I don’t believe in the Twins at all, I still think we gotta pull for an Astros collapse that isn’t coming.
Root: Twinkies
Rays at Yankees
If the goal is just to make the playoffs, then I think we have to root for the Yankees, ya’ll.
Root: Yankees, then go take a hot shower.
Orioles at Blue Jays
Root: Jays
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