Could the Oakland A’s actually be the team to beat in the American League? They are playing better than anyone in the Junior Circuit and have easily the best division lead in the AL. Oakland plays Game 2 of its series at the division-rival Angels on Tuesday. The Angels are short favorites on the MLB odds.
Athletics vs Angels – MLB Odds & Picks
How to Bet A’s at Angels MLB Odds & TV Info- When: Tuesday, 9:40 PM ET
- Where: Angel Stadium
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Mike Fiers/Dylan Bundy
- TV: MLB Network
- Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
- Opening MLB Lines: Angels -122, A’s +112 (total 9)
The only other time the A’s have led the AL West by at least 4½ games after 15 games or fewer was in 1981 when they led by as many as 5½ games after a 14-1 start (April 22).
The A’s are scorching hot but they are going to be without outfielder Ramon Laureano for a while as he is going to be suspended several games. Laureano was ejected Sunday in the bottom of the seventh inning after charging the Astros’ dugout. Laureano got hit by a pitch — for the third time in the three-game series — this one by Humberto Castellanos with one out in the seventh, and pointed at the rookie right-hander.
Laureano began exchanging words with Astros hitting coach Alex Cintron after getting hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. Laureano eventually ran at Cintron but was tackled by backup catcher Dustin Garneau in front of the dugout. A full-on benches-clearing scuffle ensued. Laureano would be able to play while appeal if he does appeal.
“Ramon’s not going over there for no reason,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said, adding of Cintron: “I think the league will know who that is and that person will get suspended. Hopefully that’s the case. Nowadays without fans in the stands and mikes everywhere my guess is they know who it is.”
It’s Mike Fiers on the bump for the A’s. Fiers (1-0, 5.63) yielded four runs in six-plus innings Thursday in a victory over the Rangers. Fiers worked through the first four innings under little duress, allowing only one hit and one walk. However, he wore down as the start went along, surrendering one run in the fifth and sixth frames and two in the seventh. Fiers has not been particularly effective through three starts, striking out only five batters across 16 innings.
Why Bet on LA Angels?The Halos were swept over the weekend in Texas. Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored in Sunday’s loss. Ohtani also drew a walk in the contest, reaching base safely in three of his four plate appearances. He led off the sixth inning with a double off of Edinson Volquez, advanced to third on a fly ball and scored on a ground out to first by Brian Goodwin. Even with the two-hit attack, he’s hitting just .171/.227/.439 with three homers and eight RBIs.
Touted rookie Jo Adell had a game to forget Sunday, going 0-for-4 with four strikeouts. He also committed a four-base error that allowed a run to score. Manager Joe Maddon moved big-ticket free-agent addition Anthony Rendon down to the No. 5 spot in the lineup from No. 3 because Rendon is really scuffling at the plate.
“I know how good he is. He’s going to get blazing hot because the numbers will come back,” Maddon said. “There’s a lot of good offense in store for us from him.” Maddon added that SS Andrelton Simmons (left ankle) is “getting better” but still doesn’t have a timetable on when he will be back. Simmons has been on the injured list since July 28.
It’s Dylan Bundy on the mound for the Halos. Bundy (2-1, 2.08) turned in his third career complete game and struck out 10 in the Angels’ 6-1 win over the Mariners on Thursday. The right-hander gave up a fourth-inning home run to Dan Vogelbach but otherwise faced little resistance from the Mariners’ offense, yielding only five baserunners while striking out 10. Bundy tossed 76 of 107 pitches for strikes in the contest and induced an impressive 16 swinging strikes over his nine frames.
Bundy’s fastball velocity has continued to slip, but he’s making much frequent use of his slider this year and he spotted the fastball unusually well vs. Seattle. He issued no free passes in this one, and he’s walked just two of the 80 batters he’s faced this season, which is about one-third of his usual rate.
Game Trends- Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Athletics are 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Los Angeles.
- Athletics are 10-2 in the last 12 meetings.
