A late-night showdown on the West Coast is on tap this eveing in Anaheim. The Athletics (25-24) currently sit atop the wide-open AL West. Still, every game matters going forward for this unproven A’s squad. Opposing them tonight will be the Angels (17-33), currently last in the division. Can Mike Trout and company earn a series split on Thursday?
The Angels are favorites (-120) over the Athletics, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Thursday’s matchup between the A’s and Los Angeles on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Athletics vs. Angels prediction, preview
Although this is a flawed team, the A’s have surpassed most expectations at this point in the season. This young, upcoming squad has been carried by a talented lineup. However, getting consistency on the mound has proven to be an issue. In fairness to this pitching staff, run prevention is difficult at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. Fortunately for tonight’s starter, Luis Severino, Thursday’s contest takes place at pitcher-friendly Angel Stadium. The right-hander has a 3.56 ERA during six road starts this season.
Severino is likely looking forward to tonight’s matchup against light-hitting Los Angeles. The Angels averaging 3.98 runs per game this season, sixth-fewest in baseball. In addition, they’ve recorded an American League-worst .224 batting average. Just two lineup regulars have a wRC+ above 110: Mike Trout (145) and Oswald Peraza (118). The Halos have only scored 28 runs over their last ten games, fourth-worst in the majors during that stretch. Severino has a 2.33 ERA over his previous five meetings with LA.
In this battle between All-Star pitchers, it’ll be Jose Soriano on the bump for Los Angeles tonight. It’s been a breakout campaign for the Dominican hurler, now the undisputed ace of this staff. Through 59.2 innings of work, he’s accounted for a 2.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 67 strikeouts. Soriano’s 97.2 MPH average velocity, 33.8% whiff rate and 28.0% K rate rank within the top 85th percentile of qualified starters. However, a 4.01 xERA suggests there could be some negative regression going forward. The 27-year-old coughed up six earned runs last weekend against the Dodgers.
It’s no secret that the A’s have gotten an offensive boost during their time in Sacramento. Still, they’re more than capable of putting up numbers away from home. The A’s are scoring a respectable 4.30 runs per game on the road, 17th-most in the league. They have a .749 OPS against right-handed pitchers this season as well, fourth-best in baseball. There’s plenty of sluggers in this lineup, starting with Shea Langeliers. The catcher is slashing .322/.394/.578 while mashing 12 homers and 27 RBIs. Reigning AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz leads the majors with a .434 on-base percentage in addition to eight homers and 35 RBIs. As a unit, the A’s possess the Junior Circuit’s second-best slugging percentage (.730).
Athletics vs. Angels pick, best bet
As good as Soriano has been this season, he’s struggled in this spot. The right-hander put up a 7.29 ERA over four meetings with the A’s last season. In comparison, Severino has had ample success when pitching in SoCal. Despite wielding the better starter tonight, there’s nothing else that suggests Los Angeles deserves to be favored. At even money, I’ll gladly back the more talented Athletics on Thursday.
