Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Pick – MLB, August 21, 2020

The Los Angeles Angels head to Oakland on Friday night to open a three-game series against the Athletics. These two AL West foes have already met seven times in 2020, and the Athletics lead the regular-season series 4-3. 

Ahead of their Wednesday’s clash with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Oakland Athletics were sitting atop of the AL West with a 17-8 record. On the other side, the Angels were only half a game ahead of the bottom-side Seattle Mariners.

Hereof, the final series of the season between the Angels and A’s will bring plenty of excitement, so here’s my best Angels vs. Athletics betting pick for the opener Friday.

I’ve mentioned the current AL West standings, so you must be surprised by the odds. The Angels are listed as slight favorites even though they’ve dropped six of the last seven games excluding their Wednesday’s game in San Francisco.

I think the bookies favor Andrew Heaney over Mike Fiers, but we’ll come to the starters soon.

The total is set at 9.5 runs where the over pays -125. I was expecting a high line, but you can pick alternate lines at most of the top betting sites.

Andrew Heaney will take the hill for the Angels, and the 29-year-old southpaw is 1-1 in five starts this season, but the Angels went 1-4 in that span. Also, the Angels are only 1-7 in Heaney’s previous eight starts. Andrew is 2-2 with a 3.77 ERA in seven starts against the A’s so far.

Mike Fiers will get the starting nod on the other side, and the 35-year-old righty is 2-1 in five starts this season. Interestingly, the Athletics are 14-3 in Fiers’ previous 17 starts. Still, Mike carries a 5.96 ERA, a 1.48 WHIP, and a modest 11/6 K/BB ratio into this one.

Fiers is 6-5 with a 5.48 ERA in 15 starts against the Angels in his career.

The A’s are one of the best defensive teams in the majors this term, yielding only 3.96 runs per game (5^th). The Angels surrender 5.56 runs per contest (25^th), while their relievers have a 4.64 ERA. The A’s bullpen is the second-best in baseball with a 2.31 ERA.

Oakland is ninth in the MLB in runs scored per game (5.04) and 24^th in batting average (.224). LA is 25^th in batting average (.227) and 19^th in runs scored per contest (4.60).

I’m still stunned with the odds, expecting to see the Angels around +125 moneyline odds. In that case, I would go with the visitors, but with these odds, I don’t see value on a side bet.

Therefore, I’m going with the over on the totals. Mike Fiers is not pitching well despite the A’s record with him on the mound. Also, the A’s bullpen will have to regress at some point, and the Angels’ have solid offensive potential.

Mike Trout has been terrible lately, and he has to step up as soon as possible. On the other side, the Angels’ pitching staff should have a tough day in the office as usual.