Matt Shoemaker (2-0, 4.38 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (5-7) meet Kendall Graveman (1-1, 7.27 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (6-7) in the first of a four-game division series at Angel Stadium. The game starts at 10:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Apr. 20 and will air on CSN-CA and FSN-W.
Shoemaker has a 0.00 ERA and a 1-0 record in his career against the Athletics, but faces a solid Oakland offense that’s hitting .280 on the year. Kole Calhoun (.258, 5 Rs, 1 HR, 5 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. The Athletics were victorious over the Astros 4-0 the last time Graveman pitched. He went 5.1 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out three and walking four. Stephen Vogt (.368, 6 Rs, 3 HRs, 9 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well to start the season for the Athletics, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI.
Los Angeles is a -135 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Angels have a 3-4 record and overall money line at -173. The Angels don’t give up many walks to opposing batters, ranking fourth in the AL with only 2.3 walks allowed per game.
Switching gears, the Athletics come into this game in an interesting position. They have a negative money line (-152) but have won more than 60 percent of games played as the underdog (3-2). Against fellow AL West members, they are 5-5 SU and 2-2 as the underdog. Oakland is one of the top road hitting teams in the AL with an average of 8.6 hits per contest. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Oakland batters, who rank second in the AL with 6.4 strikeouts per game. The Athletics are a problem for opposing batters, sporting an AL-low 2.73 ERA this season. They have a WHIP of 1.05, fifth best in the MLB.
The Angels will take on a right-hander (Graveman) in this game and have a 3-4 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Shoemaker will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 5-5 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
For the second time this season, the Angels registered at least two errors in a game.
The Athletics are 0-2 when they go into extra innings.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Angels have a 2-4 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Athletics are 5-2. The Angels have a 4-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 19th, Los Angeles is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 43 this season. Oakland ranks in the top five at fourth with 67.
Ranking 21st, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 30 this season. Oakland ranks in the top half at 13th with 38.
When the Angels hit at least one home run, they are 4-5. When the Athletics hit at least one homer, they have a 4-1 record.
