Los Angeles Angels vs
Oakland AthleticsPredictions & Preview

Angels Look to Extend Dominance over Athletics in AL West Showdown

The Los Angeles Angels are set to face off against the Oakland Athletics in an AL West showdown at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento, California. The Angels have dominated the series this season, winning all seven games against the Athletics so far. As they aim for their ninth straight victory, the Angels are slight -115 moneyline favorites with a total of 10.0 runs. Stay tuned for more updates and check out all of our MLB picks for Friday's slate.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Angels -111 | Athletics -103
• Spread: Angels -1.5 (+140) | Athletics +1.5 (-160)
• Total: Over/Under 10 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Los Angeles will win straight-up is 53%.

Los Angeles Angels

The Los Angeles Angels had a successful week, sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in a three-game series to extend their winning streak against the Blue Crew to seven games. Despite being five games behind the bottom wild card in the American League, the Angels have put up strong offensive and pitching performances in recent weeks. Yusei Kikuchi is set to start on Friday, boasting a 6-7 record with a 3.37 ERA this season. He has had success against the Oakland Athletics in the past, including a standout performance in June where he threw seven scoreless innings. The current A's lineup has struggled against Kikuchi, with a 6-for-44 record and only two doubles.

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics recently fell short of extending their winning streak to three series after losing two out of three games to the Tampa Bay Rays. They currently sit in last place in the AL West and are 11 games behind the last wild-card spot in the American League. In August, the team has been hitting .274/.335/.458 with 15 home runs in 413 at-bats, while their bullpen boasts a solid 3.17 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and .229 batting average against. Jack Perkins is set to start on Friday night, with a 1-2 record, 4.08 ERA, and 1.05 WHIP in 28.2 innings pitched this year. Perkins last pitched six innings in a winning effort against the Orioles, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk. He will be facing the Angels for the first time.

Yusei Kikuchi Struggles as Athletics Look to Capitalize: A Preview of the Upcoming Matchup

Two months ago, Yusei Kikuchi displayed an impressive performance against the Athletics, showcasing his skills on the field. Nonetheless, Kikuchi's recent performance has not matched his previous success, with a 4.91 ERA and 4.12 FIP over his last seven starts. It is likely that the Athletics will take advantage of this opportunity to perform well against Kikuchi. In contrast, the Athletics have had a strong showing against left-handed pitchers this month, with a .304/.377/.519 slash line and 144 wRC+ in 155 plate appearances. Given the Angels' average performance against right-handed pitchers in August, Jack Perkins will need to perform well for his team. My prediction leans towards the Athletics' offense making a significant impact in this matchup.

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