A’s vs. Angels (May 22): Sandoval to shut down A’s again to seal series win

After breaking a four-game losing streak last night, the Los Angeles Angels will look to wrap up a series win over the rival Oakland A’s this afternoon at Angel Stadium.

Behind a strong effort from the bullpen, which held the Angels scoreless over the final 4.1 innings, the A’s picked up a 4-2 win in Friday’s opener. Yesterday, the home team evened up the series with a 5-3 win, with Michael Lorenzen’s six shutout innings leading the way in the victory.

In today’s finale, two pitchers who have impressed early this season will match up. Oakland’s Cole Irvin led the American League in losses last season but is on track for a much better year in 2022, while L.A.’s Patrick Sandoval is sporting an ERA under 2.00 after six starts.

Oakland A’s vs. Los Angeles Angels Betting Odds and Matchup Information

Matchup Information

• Matchup: Oakland A’s (17-25, 11-11 road, 5th in the AL West) vs. Los Angeles Angels (25-17, 13-8 home, 2nd in the AL West)
• Venue & Location: Angel Stadium (Anaheim, California)
• Date: Sunday, May 22, 2022
• Time: 4:07 p.m. Eastern Time (1:07 p.m. local time)

A’s vs. Angels Pitching Matchup

• Oakland A’s: Cole Irvin (2022: 5 starts, 2-1, 2.93 ERA)
• Los Angeles Angels: Patrick Sandoval (2022: 6 starts, 2-1, 1.91 ERA)

A’s vs. Angels Odds

Odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other top reviewed and recommended sportsbooks may also be included in this article.

Moneyline

• Oakland A’s +164
• Los Angeles Angels -196

Over/Under

• OVER 7.5 (-120)
• UNDER 7.5 (-102)

Run Line

• Oakland A’s +1.5 (-128)
• Los Angeles Angels -1.5 (+106)

Sandoval Seeks Second Straight Win Over Oakland

Entering this season, Sandoval had a career record of 4-15 and an ERA of 4.42 across 36 appearances (29 starts) from 2019 to 2021. Last season, he was 3-6 with a 3.62 ERA in 17 appearances, 14 of which were starts.

But there were a number of positive outings last season that showcased his potential, and this season, Sandoval appears to have taken an even bigger leap. That is much to the benefit of the Angels’ hopes of reaching the MLB playoffs for the first time since 2014.

He has allowed 31 hits and 16 walks in 33 innings, and his WHIP is higher (1.27 to 1.21) and K/BB ratio is lower (1.9 to 2.6) than last season, which may be a concern going forward.

But so far, he has not been burned by those hits and walks very often at all. In his 33 innings, he has allowed just nine runs (seven earned). At home, he is 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA in three starts, with only four runs (three earned) allowed in 16.2 innings.

Dating back to last season, Sandoval has allowed three or more runs only twice in 20 starts, and he went at least five innings in 16 of those starts. So, there is a lot of reason to believe that the 25-year-old lefty will continue the success that he is having this season.

Sandoval’s success has meant good results for the team as well, as the Angels are 5-1 in his six starts, including a 3-0 mark in his home starts.

He faced the A’s this past Sunday in Oakland, and he was excellent in a 4-1 win. In 6.1 innings, he allowed four hits and four walks, but only one runner crossed the plate.

Oakland A’s vs. Los Angeles Angels Prediction and Best Bets

A’s vs. Angels Prediction: Angels to win

A’s vs. Angels Best Bets: Angels -1.5 (+110 at BetUS)

Sandoval’s showing last Sunday was his latest solid start against the A’s. In five career starts against Oakland, he has posted a 1.78 ERA, allowing only five runs (all earned) in 25 innings pitched.

This is Irvin’s first start since April 30 against the Cleveland Guardians, as he was on the injured list due to shoulder tendinitis. He is 2-2 with a 2.90 ERA in five career starts against the Angels, including a 1-1 record and a 1.46 ERA in two starts at Angel Stadium. So, he brings good head-to-head numbers into this matchup as well.

But I like Sandoval to continue his hot start to the season and for the Angels to wrap up the series win this afternoon. There isn’t any value with the moneyline here, but trends favor the run line cover for the home team. 21 of their 25 wins this season, including 10 of their 13 home wins, have come by 2+ runs, while 18 of Oakland’s 25 losses this season have been by 2+ runs.