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Athletics vs. Angels Odds, Pick and Prediction (5/22/22)

Nick Galaida Sun 5/22 9:49am PT
Los Angeles Angels MLB picks today.
(Image Credit: Imagn)

MLB betting analyst Nick Galaida breaks down Athletics vs. Angels odds, previews each team, and delivers picks and predictions for Sunday night. Use our Caesars promo code to get $1100 free bet insurance!

Athletics vs. Angels Odds

On Sunday, the Oakland Athletics and the Los Angeles Angels will wrap-up a three-game set at Angel Stadium. Oakland won the series opener by a final score of 4-2, but Los Angeles rebounded for a 5-3 victory on Saturday behind an excellent outing from Michael Lorenzen. In the rubber match, the Athletics will send Cole Irvin to the hill, who will be opposed by Patrick Sandoval. Oddsmakers anticipate the Angels coming away with a win, pricing them as -196 favorites on the moneyline.

Let’s take a deeper look at the matchup to see where bettors can find value at sportsbooks for this matchup.

Oakland Athletics

Following a stint on the injured list with shoulder tendinitis, Cole Irvin will return to the big leagues on Sunday, with a 2.93 ERA, 4.58 xERA, and a 4.54 FIP on the campaign. Similar to 2021, Irvin has struggled mightily against right-handed batters, which could be particularly problematic against a lineup featuring Mike Trout and Anthony Rendon. Entering play, Irvin ranks in the 27th percentile in xwOBA, 27th percentile in xERA, 11th percentile in barrel percentage, 13th percentile in strikeout percentage, and the 12th percentile in whiff percentage. Spin rates that are among the worst in baseball only further suggest that Irvin could be in for a rough outing on Sunday.

Irvin is unlikely to be helped by an offense that ranks 28th in OPS and 29th in ISO across the last two weeks of action. In their last nine contests, the Athletics have scored more than four runs in a game only once, but they have scored one run or fewer on four occasions in that time frame. It could be another tough day at the office for Oakland’s bats against a tough left-hander in this one.

Los Angeles Angels

Patrick Sandoval has been sensational to begin the year–posting a 1.91 ERA, 3.24 xERA, and a 2.76 FIP through his first 33.0 innings of work. Sandoval has been particularly dominant against left-handed hitters in 2022, who are only 1-for-25 with a single against him this season. Sandoval has been effective against right-handed batters as well, allowing only three extra-base-hits in 115 plate appearances. A walk rate in the 22nd percentile remains an area of concern for Sandoval, but a favorable matchup, combined with a strong ability to miss barrels should translate to another strong outing on Sunday afternoon against one of the least intimidating offensive attacks in Major League Baseball.

Though the Angels have been strong overall as an offensive unit, they have been slightly less potent against southpaws. Entering play, this group ranks 9th in OPS, 14th in ISO, 5th in walk percentage, and 24th in strikeout percentage against left-handed pitching in 2022. Still, not all left-handed pitchers are created equal. This is an extremely favorable matchup for the Angels against a sub-par Irvin, who is making his first start off of the injured list.

Athletics vs. Angels Pick 

Oakland has won two series in the last month of action–one against the Baltimore Orioles and one against the Detroit Tigers, both teams that currently sit in last place in their respective divisions. The Angels have the better starting pitcher and the better offense in this one. Expect Los Angeles to jump on Irvin early in the game and never look back. Take the Halos to lead after five innings in this spot, to avoid some juice.