Athletics at Angels
The Los Angeles Angels entered the season with the most intriguing player in the league in Japanese two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani and it's hardly a coincidence that the club is off to its best start in 11 years. Winners of five of their first seven, the Angels continue a six-game homestand when they host the Oakland Athletics in a rematch of the season-opening series.
Ohtani pitched six strong innings to beat Oakland in last Sunday's series finale as Los Angeles took three of four and followed that up by homering in back-to-back wins over Cleveland on Tuesday and Wednesday. “It’s really impressive if you think about it. All the pressure is on him. And he’s just thrown that out of the way and he’s just playing ball," said Angels infielder Zack Cozart, who hit a walk-off homer in Wednesday's win. "He’s a special talent. No doubt about it. We’re glad to have him.” The Athletics managed only three wins on their season-opening eight-game homestand and will hit the road for eight in a row - facing both Los Angeles teams before heading to Seattle. Jed Lowrie hit safely in three of four games versus the Angels before going 6-for-15 with three doubles and five RBIs in a four-game set against Texas.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Daniel Gossett (0-1, 9.00 ERA) vs. Angels RH Parker Bridwell (2017: 10-3, 3.64)
Gossett's first start of the season was overshadowed by Ohtani's major-league pitching debut, but he allowed four runs on six hits, including three doubles, in four-plus innings. The 25-year-old gave up three runs in 6 2/3 innings in his lone start against the Angels last season, when he lost 11 of 15 decisions and was tagged for 21 homers in 91 1/3 innings. Opponents batted a healthy .306 against Gossett in 2017.
Expected to start the season at Triple-A Salt Lake City, Bridwell was summoned back to the majors to make Friday's start after Matt Shoemaker landed on the disabled list. Despite the impressive record last year, Bridwell was rocked in back-to-back starts in a six-day span against Oakland, lasting three innings in each and surrendering a combined 13 runs and 13 hits. Matt Olson homered twice in four at-bats versus Bridwell.
WALK-OFFS
1. Ohtani, who is scheduled to pitch Sunday, is 6-for-14 with two homers, five RBIs and three runs scored.
2. Athletics 3B Matt Chapman has hit safely in seven straight, including four multiple-hit games in a row.
3. Angels SS Andrelton Simmons has started two straight seasons with a seven-game hitting streak.