How Shohei Ohtani’s injury affects the Angels’ future

The baseball world was shook yesterday upon hearing the news that Angels’ pitcher and designated hitter Shohei Ohtani may require Tommy John surgery, ending both his 2018 and 2019 seasons.

While the Angels themselves are “cautiously optimistic” that Ohtani can return this season, at least as a batter, it is pretty clear that he is going to miss at least some time due to injury.

For Los Angeles, this is alarming news, as the team is in the midst of its best 66-game start since 2008, when they won 100 games. While not currently on pace to make the playoffs, the Angels were absolutely going to make things interesting down the stretch. But, with this news, it seems as if the team may fade into oblivion rather than rise up to overtake the Astros, Mariners, Yankeesor Red Sox, the four teams likely in the running for a postseason spot they would be competing for.

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