In the second of a three-game series between the Los Angeles Angels (81-74) and the Oakland Athletics (65-91) at Angel Stadium, Nick Tropeano (2-2, 4.35 ERA) and Chris Bassitt (1-7, 3.07 ERA) take the mound. The Angels won the last game 5-4, extending a five-game winning streak. The game gets underway at 10:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Sep. 29 and will air on CSCA, FSW and ESPN.
In his last start, Tropeano pitched 4.1 innings, giving up zero runs (two unearned), striking out five and walking two in a 6-5 loss to the Astros. Mike Trout (.297, 99 Rs, 40 HRs, 88 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. The Athletics were unsuccessful to the Rangers 8-1 the last time Bassitt pitched. He went 3.0 innings, allowing three runs, striking out three and walking one. Josh Reddick (.271, 66 Rs, 20 HRs, 76 RBIs, 10 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday with one run.
Los Angeles is a -162 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. The Angels have a winning record of 55-31 when playing as the favorite and an overall money line of +272. They have SU record of 8-2 and are unbeaten as the favorite (3-0) over their last 10 games.
Across the field, the Athletics have a subpar record of 31-52 when they are the underdog and are -3,153 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 2-5 record. Oakland has an eye for the strike zone on the road, ranking 3.0 in the AL with fourth walks per game. Oakland’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 6.9 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.5.
The Angels have mostly come out on top against the Athletics in their previous 16 games this season, earning a 9-7 record. The Angels will take on a right-hander (Bassitt) in this game and have a 58-55 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Tropeano will take the mound against the Athletics, who have a 51-59 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
The Athletics lost their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Angels are 32-16. The Athletics are 18-33 in close games this season.
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 40-24, while Oakland is 27-41.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Athletics are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Angels have a 12-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 11-61. The Angels have a 17-56 record when opponents outhit them.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 21st when it comes to home runs, hitting 140 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top half at 11th with 166.
Ranking 15th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.17 per game. Oakland ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.70.
Los Angeles and Oakland both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Los Angeles sits at 25th with an OPS of .699 and Oakland ranks 23rd with an OPS of .710.
When the Athletics allow at least one home run, they are 27-69. When the Angels allow one or more homers, they have a 45-60 record.
