ANAHEIM -- The Angels aren't exactly playing like a team looking to buy at the Trade Deadline.

Coming off losing three out of four to the last-place Orioles, the Angels dropped their series opener, 7-2, to the Tigers, who own the worst record in the Majors and entered with just three wins in July. The Angels fell 5 1/2 games behind the A’s for the second American League Wild Card spot, while also trailing the Red Sox and Rays.

• Box score

“The timing of us struggling against Baltimore and in the first game of this series isn’t good,” Angels manager Brad Ausmus said. “We made some strides to get five games over .500, we took a few steps back, and now the goal is to win the next two games and win this series.”

If the Angels do decide to buy, it’s clear they need starting pitching, as their rotation has scuffled since the All-Star break and their depth has been tested, especially with Andrew Heaney on the injured list with left shoulder inflammation and Matt Harvey released. Since their unforgettable combined no-hitter against the Mariners in their first game of the second half, Angels starters have posted a 5.32 ERA over their last 16 games, which is the ninth-highest mark in the Majors over that stretch.

But if they pivot and opt to sell, they don’t have much in the way of veteran assets to trade away to contending teams. Fourth outfielder Brian Goodwin is garnering trade interest, per a report from ESPN, but he’s not expected to bring much in return.

Angels players would love to see the Angels add to their roster before Wednesday’s 1 p.m. PT Deadline, but the way they’re playing isn’t helping the cause.

“Every night we step on the field, we try to win regardless of whether the Trade Deadline is here or not,” said Justin Upton, who struck out with the bases loaded in the sixth. “Would we like to be in a position to possibly add? Absolutely. But at this juncture, we have to focus on winning baseball games and let people in charge of that dictate those decisions.”

Right-hander Jaime Barria wasn’t bad, but couldn’t build on his strong outing against the Dodgers, as he gave up three runs (two earned) on four hits over five innings. It was another start of five innings or fewer from the Angels, who haven’t had a starter go more than five frames since Harvey went six innings on July 18, which was his final start before being designated for assignment.

Barria ran into trouble from the start, giving up a solo homer to Miguel Cabrera with two outs in the first. He was hurt by an error from third baseman Matt Thaiss in the fourth, as Thaiss made a diving stop but his throw to first sailed wild. The Tigers capitalized with a two-out RBI double from Christin Stewart. Barria served up a solo shot to Jordy Mercer in the fifth and was removed after having thrown 85 pitches to record 15 outs.

“I think my only mistake came in the fifth inning, left a fastball up [to Mercer],” Barria said through an interpreter. “That changed the game."

Reliever Ty Buttrey also continued his struggles in the eighth, loading the bases with nobody out before giving up a two-run single to Cabrera with the infield in. He gave up a third run on a wild pitch with two outs. Buttrey was the club’s best reliever in the first half with a 2.57 ERA in 42 innings, but has posted a 9.00 ERA in eight appearances since the All-Star break.

“I wouldn’t say he got hit hard today,” Ausmus said. “Today was more about the command, strike-throwing. The stuff is still there.”

Ausmus, though, wouldn’t rule out moving Buttrey out of his primary setup role. Cam Bedrosian is the prime candidate to take over that role, while Taylor Cole and Justin Anderson will continue to see action late in games.

“We’ll discuss it,” Ausmus said. “It’s a possibility. If we need to take a step back with a pitcher to help him return to form we can do that. Not sure we’ll do that, but it’s a possibility."

Of course, the Angels could look to bolster their bullpen by trading for a reliever before Wednesday’s Deadline. But the Angels still appear more likely to add starting pitching help, unless their plans get altered to become sellers with their recent slide.