Zach Neto opened the Angels’ night with a deep leadoff homer off Yoshinobu Yamamoto, his 18th of the year and eighth as a leadoff hitter, setting a new Angels single-season mark. The blast came on the very first pitch, underscoring Neto’s growing power at the top of the order. The Angels would plate two in the first thanks to Neto’s blast and an RBI single from Yoán Moncada, as Los Angeles hosted the Dodgers in Anaheim to kick off a three-game set. Neto sits at .266 with 46 RBIs entering the night, while Moncada added his two-out RBI, part of a 56-62 Angels squad and a Dodgers club that rode a tight NL West race with a 68-50 mark. The night also shaded a bit of franchise history, as Neto’s 49th career homer as a shortstop put him second in Angels lore behind Jim Fregosi, and the broader league context recalled Kyle Schwarber’s 2021 and Rickey Henderson’s all-time leadoff record.

The New York Yankees are actively pursuing Eugenio Suárez to address their third base struggles, but they are not alone in this hunt. Suárez's impressive 31 home runs make him an attractive target for multiple teams. If the Yankees don't secure Suárez, they are reportedly eyeing a backup plan involving the Los Angeles Angels' Yoan Moncada. Once lauded as the top prospect in baseball, Moncada has struggled with consistency but remains a potent switch-hitter with power potential, making him a preferable option over the Yankees' current third base roster.

Moncada's left-handed hitting style is well-suited to Yankee Stadium, offering the Yankees a solid alternative should their plans for Suárez fall through. While he may not replicate the offensive output of Suárez, Moncada could still provide a significant upgrade, particularly in the power department.

The Los Angeles Angels welcomed back third baseman Yoán Moncada for their matchup against the Texas Rangers after he missed five weeks due to right knee inflammation. Moncada, at 30, had previously posted a .237 batting average with an .841 OPS, six homers, and 19 RBIs in 30 games before his injury. Interim manager Ray Montgomery emphasized Moncada's importance to the team, citing his stabilizing influence on both the field and in the batting lineup.

In his absence, Luis Rengifo and Kevin Newman filled in, but neither matched Moncada's production level. Rengifo is expected to transition to second base due to an injury to Christian Moore, while Moncada will gradually work back into a full-time role. Moncada expressed he still feels some discomfort but is optimistic about his recovery.

Mike Trout's return to the Los Angeles Angels lineup has been a significant boost after a series of injuries plagued the team. Following a knee injury, Trout made a strong comeback, going 5-for-10 in his first three games back against the Cleveland Guardians, despite the Angels losing two of the three games. However, the team's struggles continued as they faced additional injury setbacks with Yoan Moncada and Robert Stephenson, both now placed on the injured list. Moncada's knee issues have sidelined him, while Stephenson's biceps injury marks another setback following his Tommy John surgery recovery. The Angels are now gearing up for a crucial series against the Boston Red Sox, needing to navigate these challenges to stay competitive.

The Los Angeles Angels faced a challenging series against the New York Yankees, concluding with a 1-0 defeat that overshadowed their earlier nine-inning rally. Despite a home run from Yoán Moncada and a key single by Taylor Ward, the Angels struggled offensively, managing only three runs across six games against the Yankees. Catcher Logan O'Hoppe expressed frustration over the team's persistent issues at the plate, including a high strikeout rate that had them among the worst in the league. Manager Ron Washington's decision to intentionally walk Aaron Judge, who boasts a .391 batting average, resulted in the only run of the game, further highlighting the Angels' offensive struggles.