Sport: MLBPick Selection: angels
At 10:05pm our selection is on the Los Angeles Angels over the Oakland Athletics. Both of these teams had Thursday off and now they get set to square off in a very important "all California" three game series. This is another early season series (like the recently-concluded Tampa-Boston series) that, surprisingly, has added importance based upon the current standings. Oakland wasn't supposed to contend this year, but is only three and a half games behind the Angels in the AL West, and L.A. has some things to be concerned about, like the health of Chone Figgins (out indefinitely with a hamstring injury) and Vlad Guerrero, who is day-to-day with a sore knee but is hoping to play in this game. One thing that is not a concern anymore to Los Angeles (it was at the beginning of the season) is the status of ace righthander John Lackey. Lackey missed the first six weeks of the season, but has been stellar since returning on May 14. The fact that he only has one win in his four starts so far should not be much of a concern as Lackey has absolutely owned Oakland lately and the Angels are 7-1 in his last eight starts against them. Of all the positive things that have happened regarding starting pitching for Oakland, 27 year old righthander Joe Blanton has not been among them in 2008. His 3-7 record and 4.27 ERA so far have been a major disappointment. The Angels are better on the road this year than at home (19-11 away vs. 18-13 in Anaheim). Take the Angels. As always, good luck...Al McMordie.
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