The Oakland Athletics will try to avoid losing their fourth straight game when they play host to the Los Angeles Angels at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. NBC Sports – California will televise the matchup and the game will get going at 9:35 p.m. ET.
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics Odds
Vegas is listing Oakland (+115) as the underdog to Los Angeles (-125). Bettors can wager on the game’s total with odds sitting at +100 for over eight runs and -120 for under eight. Runline odds sit at +120 for betting the Angels -1.5 runs and -140 for the Athletics +1.5.
The Athletics are 34-35 straight up (SU) and 31-37 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 0.1 units for moneyline bettors while gaining 7.3 units (ATS). Oakland has covered the spread only twice in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Angels have gone 37-32 SU this year and are 32-37 ATS. In total, the team’s lost 1.0 units for moneyline bettors and 8.0 units ATS. Los Angeles has covered the spread only twice over its last seven games and the total has gone under in three of those seven.
Oakland games have had an over/under record of 31-33-4 so far in 2018. Los Angeles has an over/under record of 30-35-4.
Left-hander Tyler Skaggs is the projected starter for Los Angeles. Skaggs is 5-4 with a 3.08 ERA and 78 strikeouts. He’s 1-0 with five strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA against Oakland this year.
The Athletics will send righty Chris Bassitt (0-1, 1.29 ERA) to the mound. Bassitt has six punchouts and one walks to his credit, as well as a 0.57 WHIP. Bassitt has yet to face the Angels this year and did not pitch in the majors last season.
As a unit, Oakland’s pitching staff has allowed 4.4 runs per game overall in 2018. Its starters have a 4.40 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 6.6 strikeouts per nine innings. The bullpen has a 3.49 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 8.3 K/9. In 34 divisional games, Athletics starters have an ERA of 5.80 and the bullpen’s ERA is 4.18.
Oakland’s offense is putting up 4.3 runs per contest, including 3.5 per game against divisional foes and 2.8 per game over its last five. The team’s hit .189/.267/.346 over its last five games and is 1-4 SU during that stretch.
The Athletics’ offense has been led by second baseman Jed Lowrie and shortstop Marcus Semien. Lowrie is hitting .275/.340/.453 with nine home runs, 42 RBIs and 26 runs scored, and Semien is batting .256 with five homers, 25 RBIs and 39 runs.
In the visiting dugout, Los Angeles’ pitching staff allowed 4.1 runs per game and its starters own a 3.74 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 8.93 K/9. The bullpen has managed an ERA of 3.74, along with a K/9 of 9.27.
Angels hitters have slashed .248/.323/.424 on their way to 4.5 runs scored per game this season, including 5.2 runs per game against divisional foes and 3.8 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
Los Angeles’ offense has been powered by right fielder Mike Trout and shortstop Andrelton Simmons, who’ve collectively launched 27 home runs. Trout is slashing .314/.444/.686 with 23 home runs, 45 RBIs, 56 runs and 13 stolen bases, while Simmons (.330/.399/.460) is up to four homers, 34 RBIs and 32 runs scored.
The Angels have gained 7.7 units and are 27-25 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in 22 of those games, compared to 27 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Athletics have lost 5.5 units and are 10-12 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over’s hit in eight of those games, compared to 12 that’ve gone under.
Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Free Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Angels, ATS Winner – Angels, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes,
- The under has hit in three of Los Angeles’ last seven games.
- The Angels have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
- Los Angeles has recorded 20.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 19.8 over its last five.
- The Athletics have dropped four of their last five games SU.
