MLB Game Preview - LA Angels at Oakland

Wed Sep 4, 2019 10:07 PM EDT

They never saw the former version of the rookie, but the Oakland Athletics will get a look at the new Patrick Sandoval when the left-hander pitches for the visiting Los Angeles Angels on the second night of a three-game series Wednesday.

The A's opened the American League West set with a power-packed 7-5 win on Tuesday night in a game that featured home runs by Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Justin Upton and Matt Chapman.

The offenses also produced two doubles and two triples among just 14 total hits.

The clubs got a total of just nine innings from their starting pitchers Tuesday and were forced into using a total of nine relievers, so the onus will be on starters Sandoval (0-1, 5.24 ERA) and A's right-hander Tanner Roark (8-8, 4.04) to attempt to go deep into the rematch.

Sandoval is coming off the best start of his big-league career, shutting out the Texas Rangers on one hit over five innings last Wednesday. He struck out nine and walked three but did not get a decision in a 3-0 loss.

The 22-year-old, who took a 6.75 ERA into that start, credited his improved effort to a tip from pitching coach Doug White, who suggested he start his wind-up from the middle of the pitching slab.

Sandoval had done his previous pitching from the third-base side of the mound.

"It made a big difference for me," he assured reporters afterward. "It felt great. It felt like I had everything whenever I wanted it. I felt confident in everything today. It was good."

One hitter Sandoval won't face as he goes after his first major league win is A's center fielder Ramon Laureano, who has been ruled out of this series with a bruised right shin.

A's manager Bob Melvin informed reporters before the series opener that he expects to have Laureano back patrolling the center field pastures later this week when the Detroit Tigers come to town.

Meanwhile, Melvin went out of his way to praise his new-look outfield, which on Tuesday got a hit and a run from center fielder Mark Canha, and two run-scoring triples to complement an outfield assist by left fielder Seth Brown.

"Whoever we give an opportunity to seems to take advantage," Melvin gushed about his outfielders to reporters before Tuesday's game, "but a guy like Laureano will be a nice addition, both offensively and defensively."

Roark will get the ball on his new favorite field as he attempts to remain unbeaten at home since joining Oakland at the trade deadline.

The veteran's 2-1 record in five starts with the A's includes team wins at home over St. Louis, Houston and the New York Yankees.

The 32-year-old has pitched well in his career against the Angels, including getting a no-decision despite allowing just one run and four hits in 5 1/3 innings for the Cincinnati Reds in a 5-1 loss at Los Angeles in June.

Roark has started three games in his career against the Angels, going 0-1 with a 1.89 ERA.

A win Wednesday would allow the A's to clinch a winning series, which would be their fourth in five tries against their Southern California rival this season.

Oakland already has clinched the season series with a 10-5 advantage.

--Field Level Media