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Game Thread #27: Oakland A’s vs. Los Angeles Angels

Final series against the Halos

By Alex Hall

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Texas Rangers v Oakland Athletics Photo by Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images

The Oakland A’s have won two in a row, and they’ll look to turn it into a real winning streak on Friday against the Los Angeles Angels.

This weekend will be the final matchup between these two teams, marking the end of their 2020 season series, which the A’s currently lead 4-3. Click here to read the full series preview.

Oakland sends starter Mike Fiers to the mound. The right-hander posted a quality start last time out, working six innings of two-run ball in an A’s blowout victory over the Giants. In two tries against the Angels this year, he’s been beaten up both times, for nine total runs while being pulled early both days — including homers by Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Brian Goodwin (as well as Jason Castro, who’s not in the lineup tonight). Fiers has been generally solid against every other opponent.

The Halos respond with lefty Andrew Heaney, who last pitched against the A’s on Opening Day right here at the Coliseum. He worked into the 5th inning that night, and allowed only one run, but of course Oakland came back to tie it and win in extras on a walk-off grand slam. Overall he has a mediocre 4.74 ERA but a sparkling 2.76 FIP, and he’s allowed only one homer in five games — to Ramon Laureano on Opening Day.

We’re nearing the halfway point of the short season, and the A’s are in great position. But there are still some tough opponents on the docket down the road, so this is the time to bank some wins against a struggling Halos team.

First pitch is 6:40 p.m., with the following options to watch or listen:

  • TV: NBC Sports California
  • Radio: 960 AM
  • Online video stream: fuboTV
  • Online audio stream: iHeartRadio

A’s lineup (home)

  1. SS Marcus Semien (R)
  2. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
  3. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
  4. LF Mark Canha (R)
  5. 1B Matt Olson (L)
  6. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
  7. DH Khris Davis (R)
  8. 2B Chad Pinder (R)
  9. C Sean Murphy (R)
  • Mike Fiers, RHP

Same as last night, which went well.

Angels lineup (away)

  1. 2B David Fletcher (R)
  2. DH Tommy La Stella (L)
  3. CF Mike Trout (R)
  4. 3B Anthony Rendon (R)
  5. LF Brian Goodwin (L)
  6. 1B Albert Pujols (R)
  7. RF Jo Adell (R)
  8. C Anthony Bemboom (R)
  9. SS Andrelton Simmons (R)
  • Andrew Heaney, LHP

A new face behind the plate, plus Simmons is back from injury. The slumping Shohei Ohtani is on the bench.

Let’s Go Oakland!

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