Where to Watch
Probable Pitchers
Lineups
Los Angeles Angels
| # | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Zach Neto | SS |
| 2 | Mike Trout | DH |
| 3 | Vaughn Grissom | 1B |
| 4 | Denzer Guzman | 3B |
| 5 | Wade Meckler | RF |
| 6 | Jose Siri | LF |
| 7 | Christian Moore | 2B |
| 8 | Bryce Teodosio | CF |
| 9 | Tyler Heineman | C |
Athletics
| # | Player | Pos |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Henry Bolte | CF |
| 2 | Lawrence Butler | RF |
| 3 | Shea Langeliers | DH |
| 4 | Jeff McNeil | 1B |
| 5 | Zack Gelof | 3B |
| 6 | Donovan Walton | 2B |
| 7 | Carlos Cortes | LF |
| 8 | Alika Williams | SS |
| 9 | Brian Serven | C |
Preview
The Los Angeles Angels wrap up a mid-week road trip Wednesday night, September 23, when they face the Athletics at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento at 9:40 PM ET. Walbert Ureña gets the start for Los Angeles against Athletics right-hander Jeffrey Springs in a regular-season matchup that gives the Halos a chance to build on whatever momentum they can scrape together this late in the year. With the postseason math already settled for most of the American League, pride, prospect development, and individual milestones are the currency of these final September games. Catch the action on ABTV, presented by Pechanga Resort Casino, or on the radio at KLAA 830.
Angels vs. Athletics Pitching Matchup: Ureña vs. Springs
Walbert Ureña draws the assignment for the Angels. The right-hander is one of the younger arms Los Angeles has leaned on to log innings down the stretch, and how he commands the strike zone against a lineup that has some recognizable bats will be the central storyline on the mound. Jeffrey Springs gets the call for Oakland. Springs is a veteran arm who can work both sides of the plate, and the Angels' lineup will need to be disciplined and patient to do any real damage against him.
Los Angeles Angels Lineup
- Zach Neto, SS
- Mike Trout, DH
- Vaughn Grissom, 1B
- Denzer Guzman, 3B
- Wade Meckler, RF
- Jose Siri, LF
- Christian Moore, 2B
- Bryce Teodosio, CF
- Tyler Heineman, C
Athletics Lineup
- Henry Bolte, CF
- Lawrence Butler, RF
- Shea Langeliers, DH
- Jeff McNeil, 1B
- Zack Gelof, 3B
- Donovan Walton, 2B
- Carlos Cortes, LF
- Alika Williams, SS
- Brian Serven, C
Keys to Watch for the Angels
Mike Trout in the Middle of the Order
Hitting second, Trout's presence in this lineup still commands respect from opposing pitchers. Anytime he steps to the plate in a meaningful at-bat with Zach Neto on base ahead of him, the Angels have a genuine threat. These late-season games are as good a time as any for Trout to do what he does.
Christian Moore's Development
The second baseman continues to log regular-season reps at the big-league level, and every plate appearance matters for a young player building toward the future. Watch how he handles Springs, a pitcher with the experience and craft to expose gaps in a young hitter's approach.
Ureña's Command and Pitch Mix
Against an A's lineup that features Lawrence Butler and Zack Gelof — both capable of making a pitcher pay for mistakes — Ureña needs to establish his fastball early and work ahead in counts. If he falls behind hitters and starts living in the zone, this could turn into a long night.
The Sutter Health Park Environment
This is not Angel Stadium. Sutter Health Park is a Triple-A facility the A's have called home during their transitional period, and its dimensions and atmosphere are a different animal from what the Angels see at home. Adjusting to the ballpark is a small but real factor.
Prediction
This is a coin-flip kind of game in late September. The Angels' lineup has enough recognizable names to put runs on the board, but Springs is capable of keeping them quiet if Ureña can't hold the A's lineup in check. Edge to whoever wins the pitching battle early. Angels 4, Athletics 3.