Oakland Athletics vs Los Angeles Angels Picks and Predictions May 21st 2025

Angels ride power surge into rematch vs. A’s

a five-game winning streak and a confident swagger. With two impressive victories already secured in the ongoing four-game series against the struggling Oakland Athletics, the Angels are aiming to keep the momentum alive in Wednesday night’s highly anticipated rematch.

Angels Surge with Balanced Offensive Firepower

Fueled by a deep offensive lineup and clutch hitting, the Angels claimed back-to-back wins — 4-3 and 7-5 — over the A’s. The highlight reel was topped by Yoan Moncada’s majestic 439-foot three-run homer that tied Tuesday’s game in the fifth inning, a blast described as “crazy” and “beautiful” by teammate Kyren Paris.

Moncada wasn’t the only hero. Logan O’Hoppe smashed a solo homer and followed up with a go-ahead RBI single, while Paris himself contributed by reaching base three times, stealing two bases, and scoring twice.

Meanwhile, Taylor Ward continued to dazzle at the plate, delivering his fourth multi-hit game in the past nine contests and extending his productive stretch to five home runs and 12 RBIs.

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Kenley Jansen Locks It Down

Veteran closer Kenley Jansen was pivotal once again, earning his 10th save of the season and the 457th of his stellar career. He gave up a run in the ninth but shut the door by striking out Tyler Soderstrom to seal the win — the second consecutive game he’s ended by fanning the same batter.

Manager Ron Washington was quick to praise Jansen’s professionalism and poise:

“That’s Kenley Jansen. That’s why he has almost 460 saves. He knows how to get outs — no matter how he feels.”

Athletics Mired in Slump and Uncertainty

On the other side, the Oakland Athletics are struggling to find answers. Their losing streak has now hit seven straight games, and they’ve dropped 11 of their last 13.

Manager Mark Kotsay cited Moncada’s homer as a pivotal moment that shifted momentum. Despite some late-game fight — including a pinch-hit RBI single from Seth Brown — the A’s once again came up short.

Even worse for Oakland, rising star Jacob Wilson exited early due to a bruised left forearm after getting hit by a pitch. His availability remains uncertain, and with a .341 batting average (third in MLB), his absence could be costly. Check The latest Baseball Picks from MLB Expert Handicappers

Pitching Preview: Kochanowicz vs. Sears

The mound matchup brings intrigue:

• JP Sears (A’s) enters with a 4-3 record and a solid 3.31 ERA, but recent outings have been shaky (0-1, 4.11 ERA in last 3 starts). Sears has historically held his own against the Angels but must be wary of Moncada, who is 3-for-4 with three homers against him.
• Jack Kochanowicz (Angels) has rebounded with two strong outings after losing five in a row. Most recently, he allowed just one run in 6 2/3 innings against the Dodgers. He’ll look to avenge his only prior start vs. Oakland, where he surrendered seven runs in four innings.

Conclusion

The Angels are playing with confidence, chemistry, and conviction, while the Athletics are battling injuries and inconsistency. With key bats coming alive and veteran leadership in the bullpen, Los Angeles looks poised to extend their dominance — unless Oakland can finally flip the script.