Los Angeles @ Oakland preview
Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Last Meeting ( Sep 3, 2010 ) LA Angels 0, Oakland 8
The Los Angeles Angels and the Oakland Athletics are realistically playing out the season, but that's not the fault of Saturday's starting pitchers.
Jered Weaver and Trevor Cahill, who have been two of the most consistent starters in the American League, face off in the second game of the series. Neither hurler has received enough credit because their teams have performed below expectations.
As it stands, Oakland (66-68) sits nine games behind the AL West-leading Texas Rangers. For its part, Los Angeles (65-70) is 10.5 games behind.
The Angels' three-year reign as AL West champions will likely come to an end and the Athletics are having another disappointing season, but Weaver and Cahill can't be blamed for any of their team's problems.
Weaver's won-loss record is one of the most misleading in baseball. His most recent start, which came Sunday against the Baltimore Orioles, typified the hard luck he's had to deal with all season. Weaver dominated the Orioles, striking out 11 and allowing one run on five hits in eight innings, but his team failed to score in the 1-0 loss.
Weaver has 200 strikeouts and is tied with Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez for the league lead. Weaver is also in the American League's top 10 in several other categories, including ERA, games started, innings pitched and opponents batting average.
Opponents are batting only .221 against the right-hander, who has allowed 182 hits and walked 48 in 182 innings.
Weaver hasn't recorded a win since Aug. 6, a span of four starts.
He is 0-1 in two starts against the A's this season. Weaver was roughed up on June 8 at the Coliseum, giving up six runs and 12 hits in six innings while getting the loss.
Cahill is coming off a rare start in which he pitched poorly, a loss that began a four-game sweep in Yankee Stadium. Cahill lasted only four innings and gave up a career-high eight earned runs. He allowed nine hits, including home runs to Mark Teixeria and Robinson Cano.
Cahill is still 5-2 in his last seven starts. He's 2-1 in three starts against the Angels, allowing five runs and 16 hits in 22 innings.
Cahill's numbers are on a par with those of Weaver. He has allowed 119 hits, struck out 90 and walked 90 in 159 2/3 innings while holding opponents to a .210 average.
The A's snapped a four-game losing streak in blanking the Angels, 8-0, on Friday night.