- What: MLB Regular Season Game
- When: Wednesday, June 26
- Who: Oakland Athletics vs. Los Angeles Angels
- Tip-Off: 4:38 p.m. ET
- Where: Angel Stadium (Anaheim, CA)
The Athletics are heading to Los Angeles to take on the Angels! Both teams have faced challenges all season and have had similar struggles. They are also entering this matchup on a rough patch.
Los Angeles Angels
The Athletics have struggled this season, holding a 29-52 record. They have lost four of their last five games, including three straight, leading into this matchup and the series’ first game.
Their batting and pitching have been underwhelming, ranking near the bottom of MLB. However, players like JJ Bleday, Abraham Toro, Shea Langeliers, and Brent Rooker have stood out despite the overall offensive struggles.
On the pitching side, JP Sears and Mitch Spence have been decent, though the staff as a whole has faced challenges. While the Athletics are not the disaster they were last season, they still have significant issues.
Day game in sunny SoCal ☀️
????: @BallySportWest
????: @AngelsRadioKLAA#RepTheHalo x @FBMSupply pic.twitter.com/xKMoM3SoK5— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) June 26, 2024
Starting on the mound for the Athletics is Joey Estes, who has a 2-2 record with a 5.53 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP. He has allowed 25 runs on 41 hits, with 10 walks and 31 strikeouts over 40.2 innings this season.
In the eight games he has started, the Athletics are 4-4. Although Estes has struggled with consistency, he has a favorable matchup against the Angels, whose offense has declined significantly this season.
Oakland Athletics
The Athletics’ offense has been dismal, ranking as the third-worst in MLB this season. They are 28th in team batting average at .221, slightly better than last season’s league-worst .222.
Key players include JJ Bleday, Shea Langeliers, Abraham Toro, and Brent Rooker, who lead the team in various batting categories. Toro tops the batting average at .260, Langeliers leads in home runs with 14, Bleday has the most hits with 73, and Rooker leads in RBIs with 44 and on-base percentage (OBP) at .336.
They have a favorable matchup against Angels’ pitcher Contreras, whose two starts have been inconsistent.
The Angels have struggled this season, resulting in a 31-46 record. They have won only two of their last five games, including the first game of this series.
Rook absolutely crushed it ???? pic.twitter.com/cFKxc02pYP
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) June 26, 2024
Their offense has been average, ranking in the middle of the league, but their pitching has been among the worst. Despite the challenges, Taylor Ward, Zach Neto, Logan O’Hoppe, Mike Trout, and Anthony Rendon have made notable contributions on offense.
Tyler Anderson and Jose Soriano have been bright spots on the mound in an otherwise struggling pitching staff. Overall, the Angels have lacked consistency this season.
Starting for the Angels is Roansy Contreras, who holds a 0-0 record with a 3.90 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP. Over 30 innings, he has allowed 13 runs on 27 hits, with 13 walks and 29 strikeouts.
The Angels have a 3-18 record in the 21 games he’s appeared in this season. While Contreras has been solid out of the bullpen, the team has struggled to support his efforts.
Angels-Athletics Best Bet
The Angels are the stronger team in this matchup. However, Estes has a slight pitching edge over Contreras and the Angels’ bullpen.
While the Angels have a better offense, Estes should be able to keep the game close, making it likely for the Athletics to cover the spread even if the Angels secure the win.
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