With the Los Angeles Angels tied for the best record in baseball, things are looking up for the Halos. However, all is not exactly perfect in the clubhouse, as $125 million man Josh Hamilton has really struggled at the plate this season.
After going 2 for 9 with seven strikeouts over the weekend against the Texas Rangers, his former team, Hamilton sat out the series finale to clear his head. Angels manager Mike Scioscia expressed frustration at Hamilton’s struggles from the clean-up spot this season according to the Dallas Morning News.
“Josh is not the same that we saw when we were looking at the other dugout,” Scioscia said. “He’s not in the batter’s box with the confidence we know he has. He’s not attacking the ball like he can. He’s working hard to try to find it …but we need him to do what he’s capable of doing, or close to that.”
Hamilton is batting a paltry .216 since the All-Star break. The Angels are likely to reach the postseason despite his struggles, but will need Hamilton to live up to his big contract if they want to do some damage come playoff time.