Because this coronavirus-affected season is shortened to 60 games, the AL West rival Oakland A’s and Los Angeles Angels will already conclude their season set against one another this weekend. Here’s a look at Friday’s opener and the A’s will be solid home MLB favorites.
How to Bet Angels at A’s MLB Odds & TV Info- When: Friday, 9:40 PM ET
- Where: Oakland Coliseum
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Andrew Heaney/Mike Fiers
- TV: MLB Extra Innings
- Stream/gameday audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/
- Opening MLB Lines: TBA
The Halos took two of three in Anaheim vs. Oakland from Aug. 10-12. The Angels had 10 homers in the series. That tied a franchise record for most in a three-game home series. The Halos also had 10 in a 1994 series against the Chicago White Sox and 2014 vs. the New York Mets. Anthony Rendon went 5 for 11 with three home runs and five RBI in the series.
Mike Trout leads the American League and ranks second in the Majors with 10 home runs. Rendon ranks second in the American League with 20 walks this season and also ranks third in on-base percentage (.435). Yet, the Halos were just 8-16 in their first 24 games. That matched the fewest victories through 24 games in franchise history (1976).
Albert Pujols has homered against 425 different pitchers in his career, which is second-most all-time. He trails only Barry Bonds who homered off of 449 different pitchers.
Lefty Andrew Heaney will make his next start Friday against the Athletics. Heaney was previously lined up to start Thursday against the Giants but the Angels are giving him an extra day off.
Heaney (1-1, 4.74) gave up four runs over 5 2/3 innings with six strikeouts in a no-decision against the Dodgers last Saturday. Heaney gave up a pair of two-run singles; one to Mookie Betts in the second and another to Max Muncy in the third. The left-hander was able to strike out six, but he struggled to command his arsenal with four walks and 60-of-101 pitches landing for strikes. That makes back-to-back disappointing starts for the 29-year-old, as he’s allowed nine runs over his last 9 1/3 frames.
Heaney pitched in the season-opening series in Oakland and lasted 4 2/3 innings and allowed one run and two hits. He was plenty effective, and he ended up with six strikeouts and no walks.
Why Bet on Oakland?The A’s won three of four at home vs. the Angels to open the season. It was the first time the A’s won their opening series of a season since 2010, when they won three of four against the Mariners. Albert Pujols was just 1-for-12 in the series for the Angels, who didn’t have star third baseman Anthony Rendon for any of the games.
Oakland is 5-0 in games in which the opponent starts a left-handed pitcher. The A’s are one of two teams without a loss to a left-handed starter (White Sox 5-0). Oakland’s five games against lefties are tied for sixth fewest in the majors. The A’s are 6-2 in games decided in the last at bat. Those six wins are tied with the Rays for the most in the majors and the eight games are second most to the Blue Jays.
The A’s are tied for the lead in wins when trailing after eighth innings (2) and seven innings (3). They are 4-0 in extra-inning games. The wins are two more than any other team and the four extra-inning games are tied for third most.
It’s scheduled to be Mike Fiers (2-1, 5.96) on the mound Friday. Fiers picked up his second victory of the season last Sunday, limiting the Giants to two runs on seven hits across six innings of work. The right-hander punched out four and walked one. He served up a solo homer to Brandon Belt in the second inning and allowed an RBI single to Mike Yastrzemski in the third, but otherwise he was able to keep the Giants’ offense off the board.
Fiers has pitched twice vs. the Angels this season. On Aug. 11, he was blasted for five runs over 3 2/3 innings. Fiers surrendered seven hits, including three home runs. He managed to keep the Halos off the scoreboard until he completely melted down in the fourth inning, serving up three homers in the frame.
On July 26 vs. the Angels, he allowed four runs over four innings on seven hits while not factoring into the decision. Fiers was handed a 5-0 lead in the first inning, but he gave back all but one of those runs and wasn’t able to qualify for the win. He didn’t walk or strike out anyone, and he allowed a two-run homer to Mike Trout.
Expert Prediction A’s 5, Angels 3
