WATCH: LA Angels’ Manager Joe Maddon Gets Defensive With Reporter Amidst 12th Straight Loss; ‘Are You Saying We Are Not Competing?’

LA Angels are having a tough time in Major League Baseball. The Joe Maddon-led team suffered their 12th consecutive defeat after a blazing start to the 2022 MLB season. Just a couple of weeks ago, when the Angels were winning their games, every baseball fan showered their praise on Joe Maddon.

However, the current scenario is just the opposite. And people are blaming the team coach Joe Maddon for it. But the Angels manager probably disagrees with people’s opinion, as he argued with a reporter over a critical question.

In the post-match press conference, Maddon got defensive when a reporter questioned his managerial skills. Notably, if the Angels do not get back on the winning track at the earliest, it will be challenging to win the division. Because, in the name of the Houston Astros, the Angels have a strong competitor.

Who is responsible for the LA Angels’ slump?

Being a veteran manager, Joe Maddon seemed to be the right choice for LA Angels. However, given the current form, Maddon has become a target for fans and critics. Recently, the Angels manager engaged with a reporter over his team’s recent performances.

When Sam Blum of The Athletic asked Maddon if the team is competing and fighting the opponents, Maddon got furious and said he will never denigrate the efforts of his players.

“What do you think? Are you saying we are not competing?” Maddon replied. “Well, I mean didn’t you must be thinking that if you ask the question? I obviously think we are playing hard. We are not winning games right now, but I am not going to denigrate the effort by the guys.”

Read more: ‘Can’t Cover Any of Our Mistakes’- LA Angels Manager Joe Maddon Reacts After Suffering 10TH Straight Defeats

Can the Angels challenge the Houston Astros for the AL West division?

When the 2022 season kicked off, unlike the Angels, the Houston Astros did not have a great start. However, the current scenario is just the opposite. The Astros found their way back to the winning track, while the Angels are on a franchise-record losing streak.

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With 35 wins out of 55 games, the Astros are the second-best team after the New York Yankees in the entire American League. Angels, on the other hand, have won only 27 out of the 56 games they have played this season.

Even if the Angels start winning their next games, it will be more than difficult to catch their division rivals.

Do you think the Angels will catch the Astros in the coming games?