A’s vs Angels MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The Oakland A’s entered Tuesday’s game two coming off a 6-0 shutout to start their four-game series in Anaheim, while the Angles got a much-needed win after going 3-6 in their first nine games of the 2012 campaign.
OAK: B. Colon (2-1) vs. LAL: E. Santana (0-2)
Date/Time: Wednesday, April 18 – 10:05 PM EST
Venue: Angels Stadium, Anaheim, California
Broadcast: CSN (Oakland) Fox Sports West (Anaheim)
LINE: Angels -161
TOTAL: 7
Now the two AL West rivals will face off on Wednesday in game three with the series all knotted up at one apiece after the A’s 5-3 win last night.
Oakland continues their offensive struggles, and as a team are batting slightly better than .200 this season, and had been shut out twice during their current three-game skid entering Tuesday’s game two.
The A’s recorded just six hits in the series opener on Monday, but rebounded with eight hits including a one run homer from Daric Barton in game two to end their skid.
Right-hander Bartolo Colon will try to keep his team in this one as he will face off against his former team after beating Seattle for the second time this season on Friday night. He did not give up a run over his seven innings of work in that 4-1 victory, allowing just three hits. Colon also fanned five batters and issued one walk before turning the ball over to the bullpen.
Against the Angels he is 1-0 in three starts last season with a 2.45 ERA, but he was with the Yankees in 2011. A team that could supply him with plenty of run support. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Meanwhile, the Angles have had the opposite problem, and between two shutouts had allowed 47 runs in their other eight games heading into Tuesday’s game two.
Not to mention that newly acquired slugger Albert Pujols along with the long awaited return of Kendrys Morales have been nothing more than a blip on the Angles offensive radar. Pujols is still without a home run through 11 games, while Morales has just 9 hits in 34 ABs.
So, Anaheim will count on pitcher Ervin Santana, who gave up five earned runs for a second straight start in Friday’s 5-0 loss at the Yankees, to give them the pitching that will make up for the Angles lack of power at the plate.
Santana is 0-2 with a 7.71 ERA through two starts, but has had a history of slow starts, beginning each of the past four seasons with an 0-2 record.
So will this be Santana’s breakout game?
The Halos hope so, as the righty will get need to get control of his command issues that has led to five walks in 11 2/3 innings this season while posting a 7.71 ERA.
Matt’s Free Prediction: Anaheim- The Halos have a powerful lineup, it’s only a matter of time before it starts clicking.
