Athletics at Angels
Although it is difficult to tell based on their 12-17 record inside the American League West, the Los Angeles Angels have performed well against their division rivals of late. The Angels begin an eight-game homestand and eye an eighth victory in 11 contests versus AL West opponents on Tuesday, when they host the Oakland Athletics for the opener of their three-game series.
Prior to Monday's 8-1 road loss to the Chicago Cubs in a makeup game, Los Angeles won three straight series against division rivals Texas (2-1), Oakland (2-1) and Seattle (3-1). The Angels mustered only four hits during their one-day stay in the Midwest but were rolling offensively throughout the first seven games of their road trip, averaging 7.7 runs while scoring at least five in all but one of those contests. Oakland has dropped five straight since reeling off 10 consecutive wins - pending a suspended game on May 19 that could increase it to 11 - following Sunday's 6-4 setback in 12 innings against Houston that dropped the team under .500 (29-30). Matt Chapman recorded three hits in the defeat and is batting .321 with six homers, 11 RBIs and 11 runs over his last 12 games.
TV: 10:07 p.m. ET, NBCS California (Oakland), FS West (Los Angeles)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Frankie Montas (6-2, 2.81 ERA) vs. Angels RH Griffin Canning (2-1, 3.06)
Montas surrendered more than three earned runs for the first time in 11 starts this season when he was tagged for four over as many innings in a no-decision against Los Angeles last Tuesday. The 26-year-old, who is 3-2 with a 2.25 ERA in six road turns, has been stingy versus right-handed hitters all season, limiting them to a .218 batting average. Montas defeated the Angels in his first start against them this season on March 31, when he permitted just one run in six frames.
Canning yielded fewer than two runs a third straight time in a no-decision at Oakland on Wednesday, limiting the club to one - and three hits - in six innings. The 2017 second-round draft pick began his major-league career by going 1-1 with a 5.65 ERA over his first three turns, but he is 1-0 with a 0.90 ERA in his last three. Marcus Semien (1-for-3) belted a solo homer last week for Oakland's only run against Canning, who is 1-0 with a 2.20 ERA in three home starts.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Athletics' 93 home runs are tied for the seventh-most in the major leagues.
2. Los Angeles OF Cesar Puello went hitless in two at-bats Monday, but the rookie still is hitting .429 with two home runs and six RBIs in his first five contests this season.
3. Oakland OF Ramon Laureano is batting .344 during his career-high 15-game hitting streak and has reached base in 22 straight contests, with both streaks being the longest active ones in the majors.