Felix Doubront (1-1, 3.70 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (57-74) go up against Hector Santiago (7-8, 3.13 ERA) and the Los Angeles Angels (65-65) in the first of a three-game division series at O.co Coliseum. The game gets underway at 10:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31 and will air on CSCA and FSW.
In his most recent outing, Doubront pitched 2.0 innings, giving up zero runs and striking out four in an 11-5 loss to the Mariners. Stephen Vogt (.268, 52 Rs, 18 HRs, 67 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 6 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. The Angels were unsuccessful the last time Santiago pitched. He struggled, going 4.1 innings, allowing five runs, striking out three and walking three in a 5-0 loss to the Tigers. Mike Trout (.298, 81 Rs, 33 HRs, 74 RBIs, 10 SBs) has been hitting the ball well for the Angels, going 4 for 4 yesterday with one RBI.
Oakland, a +115 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Los Angeles. The matchup currently has a seven-run Over/Under (O/U). The Athletics perform poorly as an underdog with a 25-40 record and have an overall money line of -2,504. They have a 25-27 record SU and are 10-12 as the underdog within their division. The Athletics seem to play better against their division opponents, averaging 4.6 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.1. Don’t expect the Oakland hitters to swing wildly in their own ballpark. They average only 6.0 strikeouts per home game. Turning to the pitching staff, the Athletics rank fourth in the AL in ERA with a 3.69 team average. The Athletics don’t give up many hits to opposing batters, ranking fourth in the AL with only 8.1 hits allowed per game.
Switching to the opposing bench, the Angels come into this game in an interesting position. They have a negative money line (-653) but have won more than 60 percent of games played as the favorite (48-29). Against divisional opponents, they are 28-23 SU and 20-11 as the favorite. The Angels will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In their 10 most recent games, Los Angeles’s run production has dropped to 2.8 runs per game, compared to 4.1 for the duration of the season. The Angels are known for their bats, hitting 341 extra base hits. Los Angeles’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 7.6 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.1.
The Angels have gotten the better of the Athletics in head-to-head matchups this season, going 7-6. The Athletics will take on a left-hander (Santiago) in this game. They have struggled against left-handed starting pitchers this season, going 11-26. The left-handed Doubront will take the mound against the Angels, who have a 19-15 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – LAA, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland has won 43% (24-32) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Los Angeles has won 63% (32-19) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Angels managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Athletics who are heading in with a 23-22 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 7-47. The Angels have a 15-48 record when opponents outhit them.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 24th when it comes to home runs, hitting 106 this season. Los Angeles ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 138.
Ranking 14th, Los Angeles is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.13 per game. Oakland ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 8.64.
Oakland and Los Angeles both rank near the bottom of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Oakland sits at 23rd with an OPS of .703 and Los Angeles ranks 25th with an OPS of .694.
When the Angels allow at least one home run, they are 32-53, well-matched with the Athletics who are 21-55 when allowing at least one homer.
