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The Angels finish up their series against the A’s on Sunday afternoon in Oakland with probably their strongest lineup.
One notable absence is Albert Pujols, out of the lineup for a second straight day. Pujols has started only three out of the last nine games, after starting 15 times in the first 20 games of the season. Though it probably has more to do with the Angels facing only one left-handed pitcher during that span, after seeing seven southpaws in the first 20 games.
Angels-A’s lineups
| Pos | Angels | Pos | A's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pos | Angels | Pos | A's |
| 2B | Fletcher | SS | Semien |
| 1B | La Stella (L) | CF | Laureano |
| CF | Trout | 1B | Olson (L) |
| 3B | Rendon | 3B | Chapman |
| DH | Ohtani (L) | DH | Canha |
| LF | Goodwin (L) | LF | Grossman (S) |
| RF | Adell | RF | Piscotty |
| C | Castro (L) | 2B | Kemp (L) |
| SS | Simmons | C | Murphy |
Pujols is 15 for 72 on the season, hitting .208/.250/.375 with three home runs.
Tommy La Stella gets the start Sunday at first base, his sixth start at the position in the last nine game. Andrelton Simmons is back at shortstop after sitting Sunday, with David Fletcher at second base.
La Stella is hitting .302/.389/.540 against right-handed pitchers this season, his 155 wRC+ against righties trailing only Anthony Rendon (185) and Mike Trout (178) on the team.
“Tommy’s swinging the bat really well,” Maddon said before Sunday’s game.
Hitting right-handed pitchers has been a strength for the Angels this season, hitting .252/.337/.451 against them, with a 117 team wRC+ that ranks sixth in the majors.
The righty they face on Sunday is Frankie Montas, who allowed one run in four innings on opening day against the Angels. Montas allowed four runs with a 1.57 ERA in his first four starts, but got hammered for nine runs while recording only five outs on Tuesday in Arizona.
Game info
Time: 1:10 p.m.
TV: Fox Sports West