The Los Angeles Angels, the team that’s had more injury drama than a daytime soap opera, are suddenly making noise in the playoff picture. They’ve reeled off seven straight wins, climbed to just 4.5 games behind the AL West lead, and are breathing down the neck of a wild-card berth at only 2.5 games out.
And they’re doing it all without Mike Trout. That’s right—no Trout, no problem. Well, maybe not fully no problem, but the bats are alive, the bullpen is holding it together, and momentum is a beautiful thing.
Boston’s First Base Conundrum
Let’s pivot over to Boston, where things are complicated. The Red Sox are treading water at 25-26, sitting in a statistical tie with the Angels. But while L.A. is trending up, Boston’s been wading through a swamp of questions, especially since Triston Casas went down with a season-ending knee injury.
First base suddenly became a problem—and not just logistically. The Sox turned to Rafael Devers, a three-time All-Star who can hit a ball into orbit but has been firmly planted at third base. They asked him to slide over to first. He said no thanks.
Enter Ryan Noda From the Angels
So what’s a front office to do? Enter the Angels with a parting gift: first baseman Ryan Noda, recently designated for assignment and collecting dust. He hasn’t played a game this year, but don’t let that fool you.
He’s got 501 big-league at-bats under his belt with a 104 OPS+—not superstar numbers, but not benchwarmer metrics either. Boston sent over some cash, and L.A. shipped out Noda. Just like that, the Sox got a Band-Aid at first base.
What It Means for the Playoff Race
Don’t expect Noda to become the next David Ortiz, but he offers something Boston sorely needs: options. Especially now that Devers has made it clear he’s staying put at the hot corner. And for the Angels? They clear a roster spot and collect a few bucks while riding this winning streak into the weekend.
Ladies and gents, keep your eyes on this AL wild-card race. It’s not just about who’s winning—it’s about who’s making the right moves while the heat gets turned up. And both of these clubs just played another hand in what’s shaping up to be a wild summer.
