Los Angeles @ Oakland preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 30, 2013 ) LA Angels 6, Oakland 10

The Oakland Athletics will try to remain unbeaten this season against the visiting Los Angeles Angels when they meet in the finale of their three-game series Wednesday afternoon. The Athletics have won all five meetings against the Angels this season, scoring 48 runs in the process. They trailed by five runs late in Monday’s game and twice were down to their final out before winning 10-8 in 19 innings. Oakland came back with nine runs in the middle innings Tuesday to win 10-6.

At the heart of the Angels’ woes is their bullpen, which coughed up the five-run lead Monday and was hammered again Tuesday. Five relievers for Los Angeles have an ERA of 9.00 or higher. It might also help if high-priced right fielder Josh Hamilton started hitting like he can. He went 0-for-8 in the 19-inning game and is 1-for-12 in the series, dropping his batting average to .204. The Athletics are getting contributions from a variety of sources. One of the biggest surprises has been designated hitter Seth Smith, who’s hitting .321 after finishing at .240 last season.

TV: 3:35 p.m. ET, Fox Sports West (Los Angeles), Comcast SportsNet California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH C.J. Wilson (2-0, 4.30 ERA) vs. Athletics LH Tommy Milone (3-2, 3.38)

Nearly two years have passed since Wilson infuriated Athletics fans with his sour remarks regarding the poor atmosphere in Oakland, blaming it on the organization’s weak fan base. He has made four starts in Oakland since, most notably a one-hitter over eight shutout innings last May. He hasn’t recorded an out beyond the sixth inning this season, something the Angels desperately need after the beating their bullpen took the last two days. The Angels have made things easier for Wilson lately by giving him an early cushion. They took a 5-0 lead after three innings in his last start Friday against the Seattle Mariners and scored three runs in the first inning of his previous outing against the Detroit Tigers.

Milone is a Southern California native who has made four career starts against the Angels, winning three. He beat Wilson in April of last season, then came back a month later and allowed one run and five hits in seven innings of a 2-1 victory against the Angels. He went up against Wilson again in September and that one didn’t go so well as he was knocked out after allowing five runs and 10 hits in three innings of the 8-3 loss in Oakland. Milone is coming off his best start of the season, allowing no earned runs and six hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 3-0 loss Friday against the Baltimore Orioles.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Angels are 0-5 against Oakland for the first time since 1990.

2. The Athletics have won 13 straight against AL West teams.

3. Angels OF J.B. Shuck had two hits Tuesday to raise his average to .471. He will likely see increased playing time after OF Peter Bourjos went on the 15-day disabled list Tuesday with a left hamstring strain.

PREDICTION: Angels 6, Athletics 2