The Oakland Athletics were supposed to be in a rebuilding phase after trading away their top pitcher and outfield player during the offseason, but two months into the campaign, they are still hot on the heels of the Los Angeles Angels in the American League West. The Athletics will kick off a three-game series by hosting the Angels at McAfee Coliseum on Friday. BetOnline.com has the Los Angeles Angels –115 odds favorites against the Oakland Athletics +100 with the total listed at 7.5 points.
29-year-old John Lackey (1-1, 1.80) is still showing no signs of an triceps injury which forced him onto the disabled list for the beginning of the season, as he has yet to allow more than three runs in any of his four starts this season. Lackey scattered a pair of runs on six hits over eight innings during a 3-2 win over Toronto at home, but he came away with the no-decision. Lackey, who struck out seven Toronto batters, threw his highest pitch total of the season with 107, and it appears as though he will be fine for the rest of the season, which is a major boost for the Angels. Lackey fared well against the Athletics in five starts last season, going 3-1 with an ERA of 2.67.
Joe Blanton (3-7, 4.27) has been knocked for nine runs in his last two outings, and his most recent start was arguably his worst of the season as he gave up six runs on ten hits over six innings to take the loss as the Athletics were doubled 8-4 in Texas. The 27-year-old Blanton had high hopes after three consecutive double-digit victory seasons, but he will have to turn it around in a hurry if he wants to make it four. Blanton owned the Angels in 2007, going 3-0 in four starts with an ERA of 3.08.
These two split a four-game series in late April in Los Angeles, with the Oakland offense doing their best Jekkyl and Hyde impression. The Athletics scored 29 runs in their two wins, but only one in their two losses. Both teams are hot coming into this game, so expect some fireworks as the Angels will start this series with a close win on Friday.
Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics – 10:05 PM ET
Free MLB Tip: Los Angeles Angels
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