What's Happening?
The Oakland Athletics, currently holding a 40-43 record, are set to face the Los Angeles Angels in a crucial game on Sunday, June 28. The Athletics, who recently lost 5-2 to the Angels, are looking to bounce back in this series finale. The game is scheduled
to start at 3:15 p.m. ET and will be broadcast on Peacock. Aaron Civale will pitch for the Athletics, while Sam Aldegheri will take the mound for the Angels. The Athletics are favored to win, with a 1.75x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks. The Athletics have shown resilience, winning the first game of the series 9-3, but struggled in the second game, allowing a tiebreaking single by Denzer Guzman in the seventh inning. The Athletics are dealing with injuries to key players, including shortstop Jacob Wilson and second baseman Zach Gelof, which could impact their performance.
Why It's Important?
This game is significant for the Athletics as they are in a tight race within their division, just 1.5 games behind the Mariners for first place. A win could boost their chances of securing a division title, a feat they haven't achieved in a 162-game season since 2013. The Athletics are building a promising future with young talents like Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz, who are showing strong performances. For the Angels, this game represents an opportunity to disrupt the Athletics' momentum, although they have struggled in recent seasons, finishing fourth or worse in the AL West in seven of the last eight years. The Angels recently fired their general manager, Perry Minasian, in hopes of revitalizing the franchise.
What's Next?
The outcome of this game could influence the Athletics' strategy as they continue to vie for the division title. A victory would not only improve their standings but also boost team morale. The Angels, on the other hand, are looking to rebuild and may use this game to assess their current roster and make necessary adjustments. Both teams will need to address their pitching challenges, as Civale and Aldegheri have struggled with consistency this season. The Athletics' ability to maintain discipline at the plate, with a 9.7% walk rate, could be a deciding factor in their success.
