Kevin Erickson
June 26, 2024 6:31 am ET
The Oakland A’s (29-53) and the Los Angeles Angels (32-46) wrap up a 3-game series Wednesday at Angel Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’slines around the A’s vs. Angels odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Angels lead 2-0
The Athletics managed to pick up the pace on offense Tuesday, but the result was the same. Oakland lost its 4th consecutive game in a 7-5 setback as +100 underdogs. Before the loss, the A’s only scored 3 total runs in the previous 3 outings. Oakland has scored 2 or fewer runs in 6 of the past 13 games, too.
The Angels have outscored the A’s 12-6 in the first 2 games of this series, both wins. The Halos haven’t won 3 in a row since June 3-5 when they swept the visiting San Diego Padres.
Los Angeles hasn’t swept an AL team since taking 3 in a row at the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park July 25-27, 2023. The last home sweep was against the New York Yankees July 17-19, 2023.
A’s at Angels projected starters
RHP Joey Estes vs. RHP Roansy Contreras
Estes (2-2, 5.53 ERA) makes his 9th start. He has a 1.25 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 6.9 K/9 in 40 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 6 IP, 2 ER, 5 H, 1 BB, 1 K in 6-5 home win vs. Minnesota Twins Friday
- 2024 road splits: 1-2, 8.02 ERA (21 1/3 IP, 19 ER), 1.73 WHIP, .311 opponents’ batting average (OBA), 6 HR, 9 BB, 19 K in 5 starts
- Never faced Angels before
Contreras (1-0, 3.90 ERA) makes his 1st start and 22nd appearance. He has a 1.33 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 30 innings. He started the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but was purchased by the Angels in mid-May.
- Last outing: 1 IP of relief, 0 H, 0 B, 1 K in 7-2 loss at Los Angeles Dodgers Saturday
- Last start (with Pirates): Loss, 1/3 IP, 7 ER, 6 H, 2 BB, 1 K in 9-5 home setback vs. A’s June 7, 2023
- 2024 home splits: 0-0, 3.05 ERA (20 2/3 IP, 7 ER), 1.16 WHIP, .219 OBA, 2 HR, 5 BB, 10 K in 8 relief appearances
- Career vs. A’s: 0-1, 27.00 ERA (2 1/3 IP, 7 ER), 5.14 WHIP in 1 start and 1 relief appearance
Who’s going yard? Here’s a breakdown of today’s best home run props with our top picks.Include the BetMGM bonus code SBWIRE to score a $1,500 first-bet offer.
A’s at Angels odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:30 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): A’s +100 (bet $100 to win $100) | Angels -120 (bet $120 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): A’s +1.5 (-190) | Angels -1.5 (+155)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -120 | U: +100)
A’s at Angels picks and predictions
Prediction
Angels 7, Athletics 3
Moneyline
LOS ANGELES (-120) is a solid play in the series finale as Contreras gets the start against Estes, who has been very shaky for Oakland (+100).
The Halos are aiming for their 1st series sweep of the season, and it would be just the 3rd time Los Angeles has won 3 or more in a row this season. There is some risk here, but we’re mostly betting against Oakland’s starting pitcher.
Run line/Against the spread
LOS ANGELES -1.5 (+155) is a good play for the more adventurous bettor. Just don’t bet more than 1½ units between this and the Angels ML play.
Oakland has struggled with Estes on the hill, and each of the A’s past 4 losses have been by at least 2 runs.
On the flip side, Los Angeles has won just 8 times since June 9, but 6 of those victories are by 2 or more runs.
Over/Under
OVER 8.5 (-120) is the lean, but do not bet more than a half-unit.
The Over has cashed in 2 of the past 3 games for the Angels, while going 8-5-1 in the past 14 outings.
For the A’s, the Over has a slight 3-2 edge in the past 5 contests, while going 4-3 in the previous 7 outings on the road. The Over has hit in the past 2 outings by Estes, too.
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