Angels at Athletics
Two American League West rivals attempt to shake off disastrous series when the Oakland Athletics host the Los Angeles Angels on Friday for the opener of their three-game set. Oakland began its 10-game homestand by taking three of four from Kansas City but was outscored by Houston 26-11 during a three-game sweep.
Khris Davis has found his power stroke for the Athletics as he belted his seventh homer in nine contests during Thursday's 7-3 setback to reach the 20-blast plateau for the fifth consecutive season. Oakland owns a 10-24 record against divisional opponents as it prepares to face the Angels, who have written a story similar during their nine-game road trip. Los Angeles opened its trek with back-to-back wins in Minnesota before losing four straight contests, including all three in Seattle. Mike Trout, who entered Thursday leading the majors with 23 homers, was one of the few Angels to enjoy the series against the Mariners as he went 7-for-11 with four blasts and six RBIs after recording just one hit in 12 at-bats in three games versus the Twins.
TV: 9:35 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (5-4, 3.08 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Chris Bassitt (0-1, 1.29)
Skaggs has put a rough start to end May behind him as he is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA over two turns this month. The 26-year-old Californian is coming off a victory at Minnesota on Saturday in which he gave up one run and five hits with a season high-tying eight strikeouts over seven innings, which also matches a season best. Skaggs scattered three hits over 6 1/3 scoreless frames en route to a victory at Oakland in his season debut on March 30 after going 0-4 with a 6.26 ERA in his first five career starts against the Athletics.
Bassitt was recalled from Triple-A Nashville on Thursday to make his second start of the campaign in place of the injured Trevor Cahill. The 29-year-old native of Ohio suffered a hard-luck loss in his first turn on Saturday as he limited Kansas City to one run and three hits while registering six strikeouts and issuing just one walk over seven innings. Bassitt has made one start and one relief appearance against the Angels in his career, going 0-1 while surrendering six runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 frames.
WALK-OFFS
1. Athletics 3B Matt Chapman (hand) exited Thursday's loss in the seventh inning and is expected to undergo an MRI exam.
2. Los Angeles could be without INF Zack Cozart, who left Wednesday's defeat with a strained left shoulder.
3. Oakland placed Cahill (Achilles) on the 10-day disabled list and optioned LHP Danny Coulombe to Nashville while also recalling RHP Carlos Ramirez from the Sounds.