Series Recap: Angels vs. White Sox - A Rocky Start & a Lesson in Managing Expectations
Mar 27, 2025 - Written by Murphi Kennedy
Photo Credit: @Angels - X
The 2025 season began with the Angels facing the White Sox, statistically one of the worst teams in baseball last year. On paper, it was an opportunity to start strong. In reality, it was a wake-up call.
Game 1: A Gut Punch
The Angels lost 8-1. Not only did they get dominated, but by the eighth inning, the Angels had a position player on the mound. On Opening Day. The Angels’ lone run felt like a footnote. It was a demoralizing, embarrassing loss — one that echoed the final games of 2024.
Game 2: A Win That Didn't Feel Like One
The Angels won Game 2, but it didn’t feel like a statement. The White Sox seemingly beat themselves. Mistakes piled up for Chicago, and the Angels were simply there to capitalize. It was a win, technically, but not the kind that builds confidence.
Game 3: More of the Same
Wasted opportunities. Baserunning gaffes. Untimely strikeouts. The lone bright spot was a quality start by Jack Kochanowicz and a home run by Kyren Paris — a flash of potential, a reason to keep watching. But overall, it felt all too familiar.
The Manager’s Role: Beyond the Dugout
A manager’s job isn’t just setting lineups and pulling pitchers. It’s also being the steady hand in rough waters. They are the team’s public relations officer as much as their on-field strategist. Ron Washington understands this. His tone, even after a series like this, is optimistic. Why? Because he has to be. If a manager rode the emotional rollercoaster like fans do — living and dying with every pitch — it would unravel the clubhouse. Washington’s job is to breed optimism when there is none, to keep morale steady even when the ship feels like it’s sinking. And make no mistake, this is his ship. He’s managing a roster full of players who have won nothing. Outside of Jorge Soler, Travis d'Arnaud, and Kenley Jansen, this roster is full of inexperience. Anthony Rendon technically has playoff experience, but he's spent more time on the IL than the field. This group is learning how to win in real time.
Patience, Understanding, and Emotional Detachment
As a fan, it’s easy to lose hope — we’ve been conditioned to do so over the last decade. But this season requires a different kind of fandom: one rooted in patience and realism. This is a rebuild, whether the organization admits it or not. The problem is, the fans have been sold something different — a dream of competing, a narrative of contention. That mismatch between reality and marketing fuels frustration.
So What Now?
You watch. You support. But you detach emotionally just enough to preserve your sanity. This team may grow into something special — eventually. But for now, all we can ask is that they show us progress. The bullpen looks improved. That’s a start. The young core is getting reps. That matters. But we shouldn’t expect playoff baseball just because it's April. If the Angels want the fans’ trust, they have to earn it — not with slogans or sales pitches, but with wins, consistency, and honesty about where this team really stands.
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