Angels vs. Athletics Pick
Can the Oakland Athletics open their season with a win at home over the Los Angeles Angels when the two meet up today at 4:05PM ET?
GAME SNAPSHOT
(923) Los Angeles Angels at (924) Oakland Athletics
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Location: Oakland Coliseum – Oakland, California
Weather: Sunny, 72 degrees
Time: 4PM ET
CURRENT ODDS
According to oddsmakers at YouWager, Los Angeles is favored in this game, as the Angels are getting odds of -125 to win against Oakland. The Athletics are getting a money line of +115 to prevail. The over/under total is currently listed at 9 runs.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The Athletics are sending Kendall Graveman to the mound to face Garrett Richards of the Angels. Richards pitched in just six games each of the last two seasons. He was 0-2 in his six starts with a 2.28 ERA and a 0.90 WHIP. Graveman pitched in 19 games last season and went 6-4 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP.
Bet on MLB for Thursday, March 29, 2018
PUBLIC BETTING INFORMATION
The public is backing the Angels today. Los Angeles is currently getting 59 percent of the wagers for this game as the road favorite against the Athletics.
KEY INJURIES
Oakland doesn’t have anyone new listed on the injury report for today’s game. Los Angeles has both second baseman Ian Kinsler, as well as outfielder Chris Young, listed as questionable for this game. Kinsler hit .236 last season with 55 RBI for the Tigers last year. Young hit .235 last year with 25 RBI.
BETTING STRATEGIES
Los Angeles won five of its last six meetings with Oakland last season, including two of the last three meetings at Oakland.
The Angels were 80-82 last season with a 37-44 record on the road. Los Angeles put up 710 runs in 2017 while allowing 709. Oakland was just 75-87 last season, but the Athletics did have an impressive 46-35 record at home. Oakland scored 739 runs while allowing 826.
Los Angeles clearly has the better lineup behind hitters like Trout, Pujols and Kinsler, but it’s hard to know what to expect out of Richards. His numbers have been good when he’s been on the mound, but he has struggled to remain active. Graveman didn’t have a great year either, but Oakland strangely has been a strong team at home. Given their strong performance at home, I suggest taking a chance on them as an underdog.
MLB PREDICTIONS: OAKLAND ATHLETICS +115