In the last of a three-game series between the Oakland Athletics (30-41) and the Los Angeles Angels (30-41) at O.C. Coliseum, Scott Kazmir (3-4, 2.84 ERA) and Garrett Richards (7-4, 3.59 ERA) take the mound. The Athletics won the last game 4-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 21 and will air on FSN-W and CSN-CA.
Kazmir is 2-5 with a 7.56 ERA, 31 strikeouts and 16 walks against the Angels in his career. Stephen Vogt (.293, 33 Rs, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 3 with one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Athletics, Richards is 2-3 with a 5.10 ERA. He meets a solid Oakland offense that’s batting .259. Mike Trout (.301, 52 Rs, 18 HRs, 41 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 2 yesterday with one run.
Oakland, a -125 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Los Angeles. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is set at seven runs. When playing as the favorite, the Athletics have an 18-24 record and overall money line at -1,925. They have disappointing records of 9-13 as the favorite and 14-22 SU within their division. Oakland has averaged 6.3 runs per game over the last 10 games, higher than its season average of 4.5. They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking second in the AL with an average of only 5.9 strikeouts per home game. As for the pitching staff, the Athletics are fifth in the AL in hits allowed with just 8.0 per game.
Across the field, the Angels have a record of 14-16 when they are the underdog and are -123 overall with the money line. Against divisional opponents, they are 18-12 SU and 5-5 as the underdog. They also allow just 2.4 walks per road game, best in the AL.
The Angels have mostly come out on top against the Athletics in their previous 12 games this season, earning a 7-5 record. This game will feature Richards (RHP) on the mound against the Athletics, who have a 26-28 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Angels will be the left-hander Kazmir. They sport an 8-5 record against southpaws.
Predictions: SU Winner – OAK, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Los Angeles is 17-13, while Oakland is 12-23.
The Athletics managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Angels who are coming in with a 13-6 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 5-27. The Angels have a 7-24 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 16th in home runs, Oakland has hit 61 this season. Los Angeles ranks ninth with 71 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.03 per game. Oakland ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.99.
Ranking 22nd, Los Angeles is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.688). Oakland ranks in the top half at 13th with an OPS of .720.
When the Angels allow at least one home run, they are 15-28. When the Athletics allow one or more homers, they have a 7-28 record.
