Angels Face 100-Loss History as Franchise Era Nears Its End
The Los Angeles Angels wrapped up their final home game of the 2026 regular season on Sunday with an 8-0 loss to the Minnesota Twins, a result that encapsulated a year defined by offensive struggles and bullpen inconsistency. The defeat dropped the Angels to 60-96, leaving them needing three wins in their final six games to avoid the first 100-loss season in franchise history.
The Angels remain the only MLB club never to have lost 100 games in a season. Their final stretch includes two games against the Athletics and four against the Mariners, all on the road.
Sunday also marked what is expected to be the last home game under owner Arte Moreno, with Stan Kroenke's purchase of the club projected to become official in the first quarter of 2027. The transition signals a new chapter for a franchise that has long struggled to translate star power into sustained success.
Why the 100-loss mark matters for the Angels' legacy
Crossing the 100-loss threshold would be a symbolic low point for a franchise that has prided itself on avoiding that distinction since its founding in 1961. It would also raise pointed questions about the team's direction as ownership changes hands and the front office prepares for a pivotal offseason.
Manager Kurt Suzuki acknowledged the stakes without dramatizing them.
We're trying to get better every single day. I don't have to give them an inspirational speech, they know what they have to do. That being said, we'd like to finish off the season strong.
Rookie Ryan Johnson's promising run hits a bump
Right-hander Ryan Johnson entered Sunday with a 2.03 ERA over his previous eight starts, but he could not complete five innings against the Twins. He allowed three runs on seven hits with six strikeouts over 4 2/3 innings, falling to 5-9 with a 4.93 ERA in 95 innings this season.
Johnson's undoing came in two-out situations. He surrendered back-to-back RBI singles to Josh Bell and Alan Roden in the third inning, then another two-out RBI single to Bell in the fifth that ended his outing at 91 pitches.
At the end of the day, execution was key, Johnson said. My job is to keep runs off the board. So credit to them.
He did not walk a batter, a positive sign, but he hit one and threw a wild pitch. The 24-year-old will get one more start in Seattle to close out his rookie campaign and make his case to remain in the rotation long term.
Suzuki defended Johnson's performance, saying,
I actually thought RJ pitched better than the line that he had. No walks, six strikeouts, soft contact. He basically got singled to death.
Offense goes quiet against veteran Dean Kremer
The Angels managed just two hits all game, with their only one against starter Dean Kremer coming on a Vaughn Grissom leadoff single in the fourth inning. Moisés Ballesteros followed by grounding into a double play, and the Angels never advanced a runner past first base.
It was a rare game in which the Angels never batted with a runner in scoring position, a stark contrast to Saturday's contest where they went 2-for-17 in those situations but at least created opportunities.
Veteran guy, he knows what he's doing on the mound and keeps you off balance, Suzuki said. We hit some balls hard and maybe if we pushed a couple across early, it would have been a whole different story.
Bullpen collapse turns close game into a rout
When Johnson exited, the Angels trailed by just three runs. Long reliever Sammy Peralta struggled, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits over 1 2/3 innings. Defensive miscues compounded the damage, including a dropped fly ball by Jose Siri and a throwing error by Zach Neto that allowed Ben Ross to score.
Alan Roden's three-run homer in the seventh inning put the game out of reach.
Just a couple mistakes and a couple balls that could've went either way, Suzuki said. He threw strikes, he attacked, but I think the three-run homer that Roden hit, that was the blow.
What's next for the Angels as ownership changes loom
With Kroenke's purchase expected to close in early 2027, the Angels face a defining offseason. The franchise must decide whether to build around its young core, including Johnson and Grissom, or pursue a more aggressive roster overhaul. The 100-loss question adds urgency to those decisions, as does the need to restore fan confidence after a season that tested even the most loyal supporters.
Frequently asked questions about the Angels' season
Have the Angels ever lost 100 games in a season?
No. The Angels are the only MLB franchise that has never lost 100 games in a season. They would need to lose at least four of their final six games to reach that mark for the first time.
Who is the new owner of the Angels?
Stan Kroenke, the billionaire owner of the Los Angeles Rams, is purchasing the team from Arte Moreno. The sale is expected to become official in the first quarter of 2027.
When do the Angels finish their 2026 season?
The Angels play two games against the Athletics and four against the Mariners to close out the season, all on the road.