Scott Kazmir (2-0, 0.99 ERA) and Garrett Richards (1-1, 3.75 ERA) are on the hill in the last of a three-game series between the Oakland Athletics (9-13) and the Los Angeles Angels (10-11) at O.C. Coliseum. The Angels won the last game 6-3 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 3:35 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 30 and can be seen on FSN-W and CSN-CA.
Kazmir is 2-5 with a 7.56 ERA in his appearances against the Angels, but goes up against a below-average Los Angeles offense which is batting just .226 this season. Stephen Vogt (.348, 11 Rs, 4 HRs, 15 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. Richards is 1-3 with a 5.62 ERA when pitching against the Athletics. He is up against a quality Oakland offense which is hitting .265 this season. Mike Trout (.315, 18 Rs, 5 HRs, 14 RBIs, 5 SBs) has been successful at the plate for the Angels, going 2 for 3 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and three RBIs.
Los Angeles is a narrow -109 favorite over Oakland. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of eight runs. The Athletics have an overall money line of -529 and a record as the underdog of 5-4. Within its division, Oakland has a 4-6 as the underdog and an 8-10 SU. Oakland’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 6.4 per game. Turning to the pitchers, the Athletics are the fourth-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 7.5 hits per game so far this season.
In games where it is the favorite, Los Angeles has a 7-8 record and an overall money line of -402. They are 7-5 as the favorite against fellow AL West members, and 9-8 SU. The Angels average 4.0 runs allowed per game, but does better whenever another team from the AL West is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average down to 3.6 against division foes.
The Athletics have an 8-8 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Richards takes the mound. Kazmir (LHP) will be on the hill against the Angels, who have a 4-2 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
Los Angeles recorded at least two errors for the fourth time this season.
When the Athletics and the Angels play into extra innings, both teams are winless. In such games, Oakland has a 0-3 record and Los Angeles is 0-1.
The Angels are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Athletics have a 1-2 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 8-3. The Angels have a 6-2 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 21st in runs, Los Angeles has earned 83 this season. Oakland ranks seventh with 105 runs.
Oakland and Los Angeles both rank in the bottom half of the league in walks. Oakland sits at 18th with 62 this season and Los Angeles ranks 19th with 60.
The Athletics are 7-3 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Angels are 8-6 when they hit at least one homer.
