Oakland Athletics vs Los Angeles Angels Picks and Predictions May 22nd 2025

Angels Aim to Flex Muscle Again in Series Finale vs. Reeling A’s

The Los Angeles Angels are on fire, and they’re using the long ball to torch their opponents. Winners of six straight — the team’s longest winning streak of the season — the Angels are hitting like a club with something to prove.

With 15 homers during the streak, and eight of those coming in this series alone, the Angels are looking to cap off a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics Thursday afternoon in West Sacramento, Calif. Wednesday’s 10-5 win featured four more homers, and the team now boasts 17 extra-base hits through three games.

The Angels’ recent offensive eruption has been led by young stars and surging veterans alike. Logan O’Hoppe, the team’s promising catcher, has smacked three homers in two games, including a pair that combined for 901 feet of majestic flight on Wednesday. He’s joined in the power parade by Zach Neto and Jo Adell, who each added long balls to the onslaught.

Neto credits the team’s unity and hitting plan for the surge.

“We talk about it in our hitters’ meetings,” Neto said. “It’s about communication, and we’re building chemistry in the lineup. You’re seeing it pay off.”

Want to track who’s trending in slugging, average, and home run props? Explore the MLB Odds Page for data-driven angles.

Taylor Ward Stays Red-Hot at the Plate

If there’s a quiet MVP of this current Angels tear, it might be Taylor Ward. The outfielder went 3-for-5 on Wednesday, pushing his line to 6-for-14 with two homers and five RBIs in the series. Over the last 10 games, he’s tallied five multi-hit efforts, with five homers, five doubles, and a triple.

“Good things happen when you have quality at-bats,” said Jo Adell. “Everyone’s feeding off each other. It’s exciting to play this way.”

Ward’s bat has become a stabilizing force, and his performance has helped the Angels put up nine or more runs in three of their last six games.

For expert picks on today’s slate, including prop plays on Ward and O’Hoppe, visit the MLB Pick Page.

A’s Struggles Mount During Longest Skid of 2024

While the Angels have soared, the Athletics have plummeted. Oakland has now lost eight straight, a season-high skid that’s included lopsided scores and tough-luck losses. Over that span, they’ve been outscored 62-21, allowing nine or more runs four times.

Manager Mark Kotsay is searching for answers as the team continues to spiral.

“These are stretches you go through,” Kotsay said. “You don’t want them to last long — and we’ve got to find a way out of it.”

One bright spot has been Nick Kurtz, the 2024 No. 4 overall pick who has three homers in his last two games, including a two-homer performance on Wednesday. After striking out twice to start the game, the 22-year-old responded with maturity beyond his years.

“It showed a lot of growth from him,” Kotsay said. “He stayed focused after a rough start and came through in a big way. He’s learning fast.”

For deeper insights on Oakland’s rebuild and player development, visit the MLB Team Page.

Angels Send Tyler Anderson to the Mound in Finale

Veteran left-hander Tyler Anderson (2-1, 3.04 ERA) will look to keep the good times rolling for the Angels. Though he’s winless in his past five starts, Anderson has consistently kept his club in games, including a recent five-inning outing against the Dodgers where he allowed four runs on seven hits in an 11-9 Angels win.

The 35-year-old has a strong track record against the Athletics, posting a 4-1 record and 2.50 ERA in six career starts. He’ll need to watch out for Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers — both have homered off him in limited at-bats.

Anderson has limited lefties to a .203 average this season, and with Oakland’s lineup featuring several young left-handed bats, the matchup looks favorable.

Interested in Anderson’s prop lines or fantasy value today? Check the MLB Expert Betting Guide.

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A’s Counter with Luis Severino, Searching for Support

On the other side, Oakland will send out right-hander Luis Severino (1-2, 4.22 ERA), who’s quietly been putting together competitive outings. He held the Giants scoreless over six innings in his last start but came away with a no-decision in a 1-0, 10-inning loss.

The concern? Severino has struggled at home, going 0-4 with a 6.75 ERA in six starts at Oakland Coliseum.

Still, Severino has pitched well historically against the Angels, posting a 3.10 ERA in five career starts. He’ll need to bring that form to stop a lineup that’s averaging 6.7 runs per game during their winning streak.

Veterans like Tim Anderson (7-for-20) and Yoan Moncada (4-for-12) have good numbers off Severino, which could give the Angels another edge.

Explore projected pitcher duels and matchup stats on the MLB Team Page.

Key Injuries and Lineup Notes

• Jacob Wilson, Oakland’s rookie shortstop and one of the league’s top hitters (.341 BA), is expected to miss the finale after being hit on the forearm Tuesday.
• Angels’ slugger Logan O’Hoppe is expected to catch again after back-to-back two-hit, multi-homer performances.
• Kurtz and Ward are must-watch at the plate for both clubs, with both seeing the ball well and swinging aggressively early in counts.

FAQs

What’s fueling the Angels’ current win streak?
The long ball. The Angels have 15 home runs over their six-game streak and are getting contributions throughout the lineup, especially from O’Hoppe, Ward, Neto, and Adell.

How bad is the A’s current slide?
Oakland has lost eight straight and 12 of their last 14. They’ve been outscored 62-21 during their losing streak and are giving up runs in bunches.

Who’s pitching in the series finale?
Tyler Anderson (LAA) vs. Luis Severino (OAK). Anderson has a strong career record vs. the A’s, while Severino has pitched well vs. L.A. but struggles at home.

Who are the breakout players to watch?
Logan O’Hoppe (LAA) with three homers in two games and Nick Kurtz (OAK), who’s homered three times in two days.

Will Jacob Wilson return to the A’s lineup today?
Unlikely. The rookie shortstop sat out Wednesday after being hit by a pitch and is not expected to play Thursday.

Where can I get expert picks for Angels vs. A’s?
Visit the MLB Pick Page for trusted predictions, prop bets, and game breakdowns.