Bryan Armetta offers up a preview, prediction and pick for Friday’s MLB game between the Athletics and Los Angeles Angels.
The Athletics (39-42) aren’t the most impressive club, but anything is possible this season in the AL West. That is, anything but a postseason berth for the Angels (34-48). Still, Los Angeles will be looking to defend its home turf against an in-state rival. Can the swinging A’s start this weekend’s series on a high note?
The Athletics are favorites (-131) over the Angels on DraftKings Sportsbook. The over/under set at 8.5 runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Friday’s showdown between the A’s and Los Angeles.
In a rematch of last Saturday’s pitching matchup, J.T. Ginn will take the mound for the Athletics. It’s been a spectacular season for the right-hander, the de facto ace of an otherwise subpar rotation. Through 82.2 innings of work (14 starts), he’s notched a 3.16 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and 73 strikeouts (7.9 K/9). His numbers would likely be much better if he didn’t take the mound for half of his games at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park. Over eight appearances on the road, Ginn has notched a 1.99 ERA and 0.79 WHIP. The 27-year-old is a master at preventing the long ball. He sits within the 79th percentile among all starters with a 49.1% ground ball rate.
When Ginn last took the mound in Los Angeles, he tossed eight innings of two-hit, two-run ball. The Angels could be even worse on the plate with Mike Trout (hamstring) sidelined. However, sleep on this group at your own peril; the Halos are averaging the 13th-most runs per game in baseball (4.56). With that being said, this group specializes at hitting the long ball. LA is 11th in the majors with 98 home runs, in spite of the league’s tenth-worst batting average. To boot, the club puts up far fewer runs per game when playing at spacious Angel Stadium (4.03).
Compared to years past, Los Angeles appears to have found some gems on the mound. In addition to ace Jose Soriano, rookie Walbert Urena has been a pleasant surprise. Over 14 appearances (12 starts) this season, the Dominican has posted a 2.41 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 64 strikeouts (8.6 K/9). The 22-year-old has been remarkably consistent, allowing three earned runs or less in all but one of his starts so far. The advanced numbers are backing Urena’s success; he sits within the 80th percentile in xBA (.203), fastball velocity (97.6 MPH) and ground ball rate (53.2%).
In many ways, the Athletics are the reverse of the Angels. Since they play their home games at a hitter’s haven, a dip in production is inevitable elsewhere. Still, this lineup remains potent outside of Sacramento. On the road, the team is averaging the 13th-most runs per game in baseball (4.48). Regardless, this is a matchup Urena has already proven himself in before. The right-hander has yet to allow a run over 11.0 innings pitched against the A’s this season. That includes last week’s matchup at Sutter Health Park. Toeing the slab at the friendly confines of Orange County should only help the youngster on Friday.
Although these are offensively-minded ball clubs, both hurlers taking the mound tonight have proven themselves in this matchup. Ginn and Urena keep the ball on the ground, limiting the amount of homers on each side. Another tense pitcher’s duel could be in the cards this evening.
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