Shohei Ohtani, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, leads the way for the Los Angeles Angels (13-12) as they face off against the Oakland Athletics (5-20) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Thursday with the visitors eyeing a split of the four-game series.
The Angels lead the series 2-1 after winning 11-3 on Wednesday, their fourth head-to-head victory in six games this season. Starter Patrick Sandoval went seven innings to get the win, allowing three runs (2 ER) on six hits.
Hunter Renfroe went 2 for 4 with a home run and three runs in the win. Matt Thaiss added two doubles, one run, and two RBIs. Kevin Smith was 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs for the Athletics. Esteury Ruiz added one run and one RBI on two hits.
ON THE MOUND
JP Sears (0-1, 4.98 ERA) is set to start for Oakland. The southpaw allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-4 home win over the Rangers on Friday. He gave up five hits while striking out 11 and walking two in the no-decision. Sears is making his first appearance against the Angels this season.
Sears made one start against the Angels in 2022, a 5-4 home loss on August 10. He surrendered two runs on three hits over 5.1 innings, striking out three. Righty Ohtani (3-0, 0.64 ERA) gets the start for Los Angeles.
He has made one prior start against the Athletics this season, holding opposing hitters scoreless over six innings in a 2-1 road defeat on March 30. He gave up two hits and walked three, while striking out 10 in the no-decision.
In his last start on Friday, Ohtani got the win at home against the Royals. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up two hits, striking out 11 and walking two in the 2-0 victory. The RHP ranks second in the AL in ERA and fourth in strikeouts (38).
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.7. Against righties like Ohtani this season, the A’s have a .635 OPS, fourth lowest in the league. Shea Langeliers is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .932 OPS in 54 at-bats.
Los Angeles is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.2 for the season, with a better slash line (.298/.342/.591). The Halos have ann .817 OPS against southpaws in 2023, fourth highest in MLB. With a 1.193 OPS over 21 at-bats, Renfroe has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is 3-10 away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in 2023, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 8.7 runs. Los Angeles has gone 7-5 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 6.0 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. Los Angeles is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Angel Stadium of Anaheim between the AL West rivals with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.6.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, nine games behind the division-leading Rangers. The Angels are third in the AL West, one games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Angels -2.5 (+110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
