Angels Defeat Dodgers 6-2 in Dodgers Stadium Series Opener

The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 6-2 in a recent game highlighted by Shohei Ohtani's 16th home run of the season and strong pitching from Jack Kochanowicz, who limited the Dodgers to one run over 6 2/3 innings. Despite Ohtani's individual success, the Angels continue to struggle as a franchise, enduring another last-place season following a record 99 losses in 2024. Criticism has intensified around Angels owner Arte Moreno, who faced backlash for failing to trade Ohtani while he was with the team, missing opportunities to build a competitive roster or capitalize financially on Ohtani's talent. Reports reveal the Angels could have secured a valuable trade package in 2022 but chose to retain Ohtani, only to lose him to the Dodgers in free agency without compensation. Experts argue Moreno's mismanagement not only set back the Angels competitively but also hindered their ability to develop a strong Japanese player pipeline and financial growth akin to the Dodgers. The Angels remain mired in a decade-long playoff drought despite having had one of MLB's most talented duos in Ohtani and Mike Trout.