Oakland Athletics vs Los Angeles Angels Prediction 9-3-23 MLB Picks

The Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics meet Sunday in MLB action from O.co Coliseum. This will be the finale in a three-game series. In the opener the A’s managed a blowout victory. In Saturday’s game two Oakland kept it up with a tight, low-scoring win. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.

Los Angeles Angels 

The Angels couldn’t score until the eighth inning Friday, and by then it was too late in a 9-2 defeat. Logan O’Hoppe was one of the few offensive bright spots with two hits and a solo homer. On Saturday Los Angeles had an early 1-0 lead but couldn’t score after the first inning in a 2-1 defeat. Luis Rengifo had the lone RBI, and Mike Moustakas had two hits. 

In the starter role for Sunday, Los Angeles will send out Tyler Anderson. So far Anderson is 5-6 with a 5.58 ERA and 103 Ks in 122.2 innings over 24 games (22 starts). Anderson is 1-4 with a 6.56 ERA in his last seven games (six starts). 

Los Angeles Angels Team Facts

• The Angels have lost each of their last six games as favorites against AL West opponents.
• The Angels have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 11 games as favorites against AL West opponents.
• The Angels have led after 3 innings in each of their last four day games against AL West opponents that held a losing record.
• The Angels have trailed after 5 innings in five of their last six games as favorites.
• The Angels have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last five games.

Oakland Athletics 

Over on the A’s side, they didn’t have a ton of issues after scoring five runs in the fourth inning Friday. Seven different players had at least one RBI, while Esteury Ruiz and Zack Gelof each had two. In game two Oakland got the go-ahead and eventually game-winning two-run home run from Brent Rooker in the fourth. That scored Ryan Noda, who had one hit. 

Kyle Muller will take the mound for the A’s on Sunday. This year Muller is 1-5 with a 7.67 ERA and 49 Ks. 

Oakland Athletics Team Facts

• The Athletics have lost each of their last 14 Sunday games against American League opponents.
• The Athletics have covered the run line eight of their last nine home games against teams that held a losing record.
• The Athletics have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six day games against American League opponents that held a losing record.
• The Athletics have led after 5 innings in four of their last five games as home underdogs against AL West opponents.
• The Athletics have led after 7 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs against AL West opponents.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Oakland Athletics ranks 30th in the league for runs scored this season (494).
• The Oakland Athletics ranks 30th in the league for hits this season (1000).
• The Los Angeles Angels ranks 28th in the league for walks allowed this season (525).
• The Los Angeles Angels ranks 4th in the league for home runs this season (196).

ANDREW’S FREE PICK 

I’ll probably stick with Oakland in this one. Anderson has been struggling on the mound lately. Over his last three starts Anderson is 0-2 with 12 earned runs in 13.2 innings total. He’s given up 16 hits and eight walks during that time, so the A’s should have some early opportunities at the plate. On Saturday Oakland didn’t have much going on offense outside of the homer. That said, the pitching staff held it down with just one earned between six different pitchers. The offense is probably going to need to get going in game three, but I think Oakland has a decent shot.