Where: Angel Stadium
TV: Fox Sports West,
Did you know: The Angels have lost 12 of the past 16 games against the A’s at Angel Stadium.
Numbers game: 120 – Hits reached by an Angels rookie each of the past three seasons, Mark Trumbo in 2011, Mike Trout in 2012 and J.B. Shuck in 2013.
Last time they met: The Angels took two of three from the A’s last week in Oakland.
A’s report: The A’s are headed to the playoffs for the second straight season, a remarkable accomplishment considering they have a payroll of about $60 million, less than half of what the Angels’ is. Although pitching is the key to their team, they have an offense that has scored more runs than expected.
Player to watch: OF Yoenis Cespedes is having a huge September. Coming into Sunday’s game he had hit .361 with a 1.053 OPS and six homers in September. Cespedes has hit .296 against the Angels this season, and his 13 RBI against them is his most against any team.
THE PITCHERS
GARRETT RICHARDS (7-6, 3.77)
Richards, who has a 2.90 ERA in his 11 starts since rejoining the rotation in late July, is coming off one of his most impressive outings of the season. Richards gave up one run in seven innings in Oakland. He was able to use all his pitches effectively because he got ahead in the count.
vs. Oakland: 0-1, 3.22
at Angel Stadium: 6-3, 3.77
Loves to face: Coco Crisp, 1 for 7 (.143)
Hates to face: Brandon Moss, 5 for 10 (.500)
TOMMY MILONE
(11-9, 4.17)
Milone, who was one of the A’s starters all of last season, had fallen out of the A’s rotation this year. The A’s plugged him into this start after clinching the division on Sunday. Milone’s last start was an emergency outing in place of Jarrod Parker, when he was sick on Sept. 15. He gave up one run in five innings and beat the Texas Rangers that day.
vs. Angels: 4-2, 4.50
at Angel Stadium: 2-0, 5.40
Loves to face: Mark Trumbo, 2 for 16 (.125)
Hates to face: Josh Hamilton, 7 for 17 (.412) 2 HR
UPCOMING MATCHUPS
Tuesday: Jason Vargas (8-7, 4.28) vs. A.J. Griffin (14-9, 3.78), 7 p.m., FSW
Wednesday: Jered Weaver (10-8, 3.36) vs. Dan Straily (10-7, 4.08), 12:30 p.m., FSW
JEFF FLETCHER
