Mike Trout will lead Angels in the final three games at Texas/Photo courtesy of Los Angeles Angels

The Angels have been left for dead several times already this season, but have always found a way to get themselves back into playoff contention.

Well, the Angels have taken a couple of giant steps in reverse the past two games, losing Wednesday to Oakland in that series finale and losing again Thursday at Texas in the first of a four-game series.

In Wednesday’s 8-7 loss, the A’s had a four-run seventh inning. In Thursday’s 5-3 setback, the Rangers had a four-run fifth.

With just three games left, the Angels began play Friday a game behind Houston for the final wild-card spot. The Minnesota Twins were tied with the Angels.

The Angels (83-76) will start Jered Weaver (7-12) on Friday at Texas (87-72), which will start Martin Perez (3-6). The Rangers’ magic number to clinch the AL West is one, so they won’t be taking it easy, that’s for sure.