Why Everyone Is Suddenly Talking About Angels: The Surprising Story Behind 2025’s Hottest Trend

Stunning triple play, Shohei Ohtani’s 43rd home run and a Jo Adell walk-off single—Tuesday night’s 7-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers packed everything the 2025 Los Angeles Angels could dream of into one electric Freeway Series clash. The jam-packed Angel Stadium crowd roared as the Halos notched their sixth straight win over their crosstown rivals, trimming the Dodgers’ once-comfortable NL West lead and thrusting the Angels back into the American League Wild Card spotlight. The defining moment came in the sixth inning when rookie second baseman Kyren Paris started the franchise’s eighth triple play, snaring Shohei Ohtani’s 111-mph liner and flipping to Zach Neto before Brandon Drury fired to first. The bang-bang sequence erased a bases-loaded jam, electrifying fans and shifting momentum squarely toward the Halos. Ohtani, who signed with the Dodgers last winter, quickly exacted partial revenge by launching a go-ahead solo shot in the ninth—his league-leading 43rd blast—but the Angels refused to wilt. Mike Trout doubled off closer Evan Phillips, Nolan Schanuel worked a key walk and Logan O’Hoppe’s sacrifice fly tied the game. One inning later, Adell’s opposite-field single off Yency Almonte sent the 41,472 in attendance into delirium, capping one of the wildest Freeway Series games in recent memory. Manager Ron Washington praised his club’s resilience: “You don’t script a triple play and a comeback like that, but these guys believe we can beat anyone in any inning.” The victory moved the Angels to 63-57, just a game out of the final AL Wild Card slot with 42 contests remaining. A once-teetering bullpen suddenly looks formidable after the deadline additions of Andrew Chafin and Luis García, while breakout starter Patrick Sandoval (12-5, 3.11 ERA) lines up to face the Dodgers in Wednesday’s finale. Beyond playoff implications, Tuesday’s thriller reignited Southern California’s baseball rivalry. The Angels have taken eight of their last ten against the Dodgers, and ticket prices for September’s series at Chavez Ravine immediately spiked on secondary markets, according to TickPick tracking data. Social media buzzed with clips of the triple play, and #Halos and #FreewaySeries trended atop X within minutes of the final out. Key takeaway for fans and fantasy managers alike: with Ohtani now on the other side, the Angels’ offense no longer runs through one superstar. Trout appears fully healthy, Adell carries a .967 OPS since the All-Star break, and underrated infielder Neto owns a .310 average versus lefties. If this balanced attack continues, Anaheim could be hosting October baseball for the first time since 2014—something that would turn this week’s viral moment into a season-defining pivot.