Los Angeles Angels at Oakland Athletics 3/31/2018 Free MLB Picks and Predictions

Saturday, March 31, 2018

Oakland Coliseum

Get todays MLB odds and lines on this game.

Probable Pitchers: Matt Shoemaker vs. Daniel Mengden

The Los Angeles Angels visit Oakland Coliseum on Saturday, March 31, 2018 to play the Oakland Athletics. The probable starters are Matt Shoemaker for the Angels and Daniel Mengden for the Athletics.

The opening line for this matchup has Los Angeles at -123 and Oakland at +113. The Angels had a 83-87-7 over/under record and a 92-85-0 run line mark last season. The Athletics were 84-78-0 against the run line and had a 84-73-5 over/under record.

Valuable Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends

The Los Angeles Angels were 83-87-7 against the over/under last year

The Los Angeles Angels were 92-85-0 against the run line last season

Important Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

The Oakland Athletics were 84-73-5 against the over/under last year

The Oakland Athletics were 84-78-0 against the run line last season

Key Los Angeles Angels Injuries

03/30/18 2B Ian Kinsler Groin is questionable vs Oakland Athletics
03/26/18 P Alex Meyer Shoulder 60-day DL (02/21)
03/26/18 P Andrew Heaney Elbow 10-day DL (03/26)

Key Oakland Athletics Injuries

03/29/18 C Josh Phegley Finger 10-day DL (03/26)
03/29/18 P Paul Blackburn Forearm 10-day DL (03/26)
03/28/18 P A.J. Puk Elbow is out for season
03/26/18 P Jharel Cotton Elbow 60-day DL (03/26)
03/26/18 LF Renato Nunez Hamstring 10-day DL (03/26)
03/26/18 P Ryan Dull Shoulder 10-day DL (03/26)

Useful Pitching Statistics

The Angels had a 80-82 overall record last season. Starting pitcher Matt Shoemaker had a 6-3 record with an earned run average of 4.52 and a WHIP of 1.30. He had 69 strikeouts over his 77.2 innings pitched and he gave up 73 hits. He allowed 8.5 hits per 9 innings and he had a FIP of 5.13. The bullpen had an earned run average of 3.92 and they gave up 513 base hits on the year. Teams hit .238 against the bullpen while striking out 601 hitters and walking 168 batters. As a team, Los Angeles allowed 8.6 hits per nine innings while striking out 8.2 batters per nine innings. They were 12th in the league in team earned run average at 4.2. The Angels pitchers collectively gave up 1,373 base hits and 672 earned runs last year. They allowed 224 home runs last season, ranking them 7th in the league. Los Angeles as a pitching staff walked 470 batters and struck out 1,312. They walked 2.9 men per 9 innings while striking out 8.2 per 9. They had a team WHIP of 1.28 and their FIP as a unit was 4.43.

Hitting Statistics

As a team Los Angeles hit .243, good for 28th in the league. The Angels held a .397 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .315, which was good for 23rd in baseball. They ranked 29th in MLB with 8.1 hits per game. Mike Trout hit .306 with an on-base percentage of .442 last year. He had 123 hits last season in 402 at bats with 72 runs batted in. He had a slugging percentage of .629 and an OPS+ of 187. Andrelton Simmons hit .278 last year and he had an on-base percentage of .331. He totaled 164 hits and he drove in 69 men in 589 at bats. His OPS+ was 103 while his slugging percentage was at .421. The Angels had 1,314 hits last season, including 251 doubles and 186 home runs. Los Angeles walked 523 times last year and they struck out 1,198 times as a unit. They left 1,033 men on base and had a team OPS of .712. They scored 4.38 runs per contest and scored a total of 710 runs last year.

Useful Pitching Statistics

Oakland had a 75-87 overall mark last year. With an earned run average of 3.14, Daniel Mengden had a 3-2 record and a 1.05 WHIP. He had 29 strikeouts over the 43 innings he pitched. He also gave up 36 hits. He allowed 7.5 hits per nine innings and his FIP stood at 4.25. The bullpen had an earned run average of 4.57 and they gave up 529 base hits on the year. Teams hit .247 against the Athletics bullpen. Their relievers struck out 527 batters and walked 204 opposing hitters. As a team, Oakland allowed 9.1 hits per nine innings while striking out 7.6 batters per nine innings. They were 22nd in the league in team earned run average at 4.67. The Athletics pitchers as a team surrendered 1,444 base knocks and 743 earned runs last season. They gave up 210 home runs last year, which ranked 12th in Major League Baseball. Oakland as a staff walked 502 hitters and struck out 1,202 batters. They gave up a walk 3.2 times per 9 innings while they struck out 7.6 per 9. Their team WHIP was 1.36 while their FIP as a staff was 4.57.

Hitting Statistics

As a team, they batted .246, good for 24th in the league. The Athletics held a .436 team slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of .319, which was good for 20th in baseball. They ranked 24th in MLB with 8.3 hits per contest. Jed Lowrie comes into this matchup after batting .277 with an OBP of .360 last season. He had 157 hits last year along with 69 RBI in 567 AB's. He maintained a slugging percentage of .448 with an OPS+ of 119. Khris Davis hit .247 last season and he had an OBP of .336. He collected 140 hits in 566 at bats while driving in 110 runs. He had an OPS+ of 130 and a slugging percentage of .528. The Athletics as a unit had 1,344 base hits last season, including 305 doubles and 234 homers. Oakland walked 565 times last year and they struck out on 1,491 occasions. They left 1,075 men on base and had an OPS of .755. They scored 4.56 runs per game and totaled 739 runs last year.

Who will win tonight's Angels/Athletics MLB game against the spread?

Tony's Pick: Take the Angels -123

Get $60 worth of FREE premium member picks. No Obligation. No Salesman. No Credit Card. Fast Sign up with Instant Access Click Here

Read more articles by Tony Sink