Athletics @ Angels

Who will WIN this matchup?

Oakland Athletics (27-19)

@ Los Angeles Angels (19-26)

Starting Pitchers:

Bassitt (OAK): 3-2; 3.88 ERA

Sandoval (LAA) 0-0; 5.56 ERA

Current odds:

Oakland Athletics: (-135)

Los Angeles Angels: (+125)

• One game into a three-game duel between American League West rivals, the visiting Oakland Athletics look intent on continuing a trend that has developed in recent years against the Los Angeles Angels. In a back-and-forth affair Friday, the A’s rallied for an 8-4 victory over the Angels and aim to continue their hold on their opponent on Saturday.

• Last season, the A’s won six of the 10 games between the teams. In 2019, Oakland was a dominating 13-6 over the Angels.

• Once again, the A’s used the long ball to win on Friday. Mark Canha, Ramon Laureano, Chad Pinder and Jed Lowrie all hit home runs. Pinder’s three-run shot in the seventh inning gave Oakland the lead for good. Laureano had four hits, while Pinder had three.

• The A’s are tied for second in the major leagues with 63 home runs, but they are aware that long-term success figures to depend on the ability to string together hits. Winning close games will be a must. The A’s are 11-4 in one-run games and were in a close one Friday until pulling away late.

• The Angels have been known to thrive with the long ball as well. They have 59 home runs this season, backed by an American League-leading 14 from Shohei Ohtani. In Friday’s game, though, Ohtani went 0-for-3 with a walk, hitting a warning-track fly ball in the first inning. Ohtani has eight career home runs against the A’s, tied for his most against any opponent along with eight against the Texas Rangers.

• Even without a significant contribution from Ohtani, the Angels had home runs from Jose Iglesias and Jared Walsh, then looked to be in position for the victory when Juan Lagares gave them a 4-3 lead in the sixth inning on a two-run triple.

• The Angels even had their bullpen lined up as they hoped with Mike Mayers, Tony Watson and Raisel Iglesias ready for the late innings. But Mayers gave up a three-run go-ahead home run to Pinder, while Iglesias gave up home runs to Laureano and Lowrie in the ninth.

• The Angels now have a 5.05 ERA from their bullpen, while the relievers have given up a major league-leading 31 home runs.

•Sandoval remains in the rotation after allowing two runs over four-plus innings against the Indians on Monday. It’ll be his second start of the year after two relief outings.

• The A’s will send right-hander Chris Bassitt (3-2, 3.88 ERA) to the mound Saturday. In nine career appearances against the Angels (seven starts), Bassitt is 3-3 with a 5.15 ERA.