MIKE TROUT won the American League MVP award in 2014 and is a strong contender for it in 2016.

By Pete Zarustica

If only …. If only the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim hadn’t seen their lineup shredded by injuries. If only the starting rotation didn’t vanish into the mists with bad elbows, line drives and disappointing downturns.

And the big if only … if only the Halos had played the entire season, or at least most of it, like they played the last two weeks. With their 8-1 victory over the Houston Astros Sunday, they finished the 2016 season at 74-88, good for fourth place in the American League West. But they won 11 of their last 15 games, demonstrating at least potential for better results in 2017.

Their biggest star, Mike Trout had another big game in a big season for him. On Sunday he got his 100th RBI of the season and stole his 30th base, while drawing a pair of walks. He finished with a .315 batting average and 29 home runs. His on-base percentage is .441.

“This guy is the MVP,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “I don’t think there’s any question. I don’t know of anybody that has done as much as he’s done on the field.”

On Sunday, in support of Jhoulys Chacin (6-8), the Angels collected nine hits and six walks. Three players – Kole Calhoun, Rafael Ortega and Carlos Perez each had a pair of hits; Calhoun and Perez each drove in a pair of runs.

Chacin worked seven innings, giving up four hits and no runs. He struck out seven and walked one.