The Athletics’ season has taken a nosedive, and they now face an Angels squad on a five-game win streak. After a series of tough losses, including 9-1 and 19-2 blowouts to the Giants, the A’s are a team in need of a spark. Enter the Los Angeles Angels, riding high on momentum, led by an offense that’s finding its groove. The Angels are getting it done even without Mike Trout! Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Wednesday night baseball game between the Athletics and the Angels.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Athletics vs. Angels prediction, preview
Kochanowicz has shown promise, especially in his recent 6.2 innings against the Dodgers, allowing just one earned run. He sports a 4.71 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP this season, but his ability to keep the ball in the park has been crucial. The A’s, on the other hand, have struggled to put up runs, ranking 24th in wRC+ (81) over the last week and 25th in wOBA (.282). Their offense has been stagnant, scoring only 2.3 runs per game during their seven-game slide.
Defensively, the A’s pitching staff is ranked near the bottom, with a 5.10 ERA, while their offense continues to flounder. JP Sears, despite his solid 3.31 ERA this season, was tagged for four earned runs in his last outing against the Giants, ending a five-game streak of quality starts. His strikeout rate has been a concern (36% with two strikes). His inability to miss bats against better offenses like the Angels’ will likely spell trouble tonight. Yet, despite their offensive firepower, the Angels struggle against left-handed pitchers, ranking 30th in wRC+ against southpaws.
This bodes well for the Athletics, who have a strong track record of success against right-handed pitchers like Kochanowicz. But this lineup has cooled. Over the past seven days, they rank 24th in wRC+ (81) and wOBA (.282). Tyler Soderstrom has slumped with a .190 average in his last five, though his power potential (10 home runs) remains. Still, the Athletics’ offense is far from elite, ranking 26th in OBP (.313) and 29th in wOBA. Against Kochanowicz, though, they can find success if they remain patient at the plate.
Offensively, the Angels are clicking, with Schanuel batting .277 and Ward adding power with 13 home runs and 28 RBIs. Their lineup is clicking on all cylinders, ranking 10th in wRC+ (108), 10th in wOBA (.323), and fifth in ISO (.184) over the last week. This kind of plate approach and form should have little trouble against a pitcher like Sears, who’s had issues with hard-hit balls (38% groundball rate) and limiting strikeouts (16% K-rate against lefties). The A’s lineup is ranked 24th in ISO and continues to struggle against right-handed pitchers, placing more pressure on their already overtaxed pitching staff.
Angels vs. Athletics pick, best bet
Despite the Athletics’ recent struggles, their games have consistently hit the over, going 7-3 in their last 10 matchups with a total set. Kochanowicz’s vulnerability to hard contact (and a 9% walk rate) suggests the A’s will have opportunities to score. The Angels’ lineup has been explosive, especially with Taylor Ward and Nolan Schanuel leading the charge, and O’Hoppe’s poppy bat. Defensively, the Angels’ pitching staff, ranked 25th in ERA (5.04) and 29th in WHIP (1.49), is a liability to keeping scores down.
Both teams have a track record of overs in these matchups, with the total going over in five of the last six meetings. With both offenses adorned with power potential, and pitching staffs that can give up plenty of runs, the over a fine play tonight.
Best bet: Athletics vs. Angels over 10.5 total runs (-115)
Offenses keep (or get back to) bopping tonight—tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
