The Oakland Athletics (-105) face a tough test against Shohei Ohtani at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Thursday when the impressive right-hander takes the mound for the Los Angeles Angels (-115) with the home team looking for a sweep of the three-game series. The early total has been set at 7. The Angels (69-86) lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-1 on Wednesday, their fifth straight head-to-head victory and 11th in 15 games this season. Michael Lorenzen went five innings to get the win, giving up one run (0 ER) on three hits and striking out eight, and Jimmy Herget earned his eighth save with a scoreless ninth. Taylor Ward’s on-base streak is now at 13 as he went 2 for 4 with a home run and two runs in the win. Tony Kemp was 1 for 3 with one run for the Athletics (56-99).
ON THE MOUND
Cole Irvin (9-12, 4.11 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Oakland. The lefty allowed eight runs (seven earned) over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 9-2 road defeat against the Mets on Friday. He took the loss, giving up 11 hits while striking out three and walking two. Over three previous starts against the Angels this season, Irvin has allowed only six earned runs over 20 innings (0-3, 2.70). He has struck out 14 and walked four. Righty Ohtani (14-8, 2.47 ERA) gets the ball for Los Angeles. He has made two appearances against the Athletics this season, both starts, giving up three runs (2 ER) over 11.2 innings (1-1, 1.54) with 12 strikeouts and four walks. In his last start on Friday, Ohtani got the win on the road against the Twins. He threw five innings and gave up two runs on three hits, striking out seven and walking six in the 4-2 victory. The RHP ranks fourth in the AL in strikeouts (203) and tied for fourth in wins.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Oakland has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small gain compared to their season average of 3.5. Against right-handed pitchers like Ohtani this season, the A’s have a .630 OPS, second lowest in the league. Seth Brown is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .799 OPS in 389 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.9 for the season, with an improved slash line (.282/.328/.435). The Halos have a .664 OPS against lefties in 2022. With a 1.058 OPS over 106 at-bats, Mike Trout has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Oakland is on a three-game losing streak away from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, bringing their record to 30-47 in 2022. The A’s have scored 3.9 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs. Los Angeles has gone 36-41 at home this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In the last 10 games between the AL West rivals at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, each club has won five, though Los Angeles has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 3.3-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 45 games behind the division-leading Astros. The Angels are third in the AL West, 32 games behind the Astros.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
LA Angels (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
