Bodog Beat

The heated battle for the lead in the AL West continues today. (AP Images)

Ervin Santana will take the mound tonight when the Los Angeles Angels open a four-game road series against the -135 favored Oakland Athletics.

Santana has failed to show the All-Star form of 2008 when he won a career-high tying 16 games. He’s had two stints on the disabled list this season, and has a 9.88 ERA in losing his last three starts.

Starting him against Oakland could provide a boost to the righthander. He is 9-1 with a 1.38 ERA in 13 career starts against the Athletics, including 4-0 with a 1.54 ERA in six starts at the Oakland Coliseum.

The Angels will try to defeat Dallas Braden again. He is 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in two starts against them in 2009.

Braden has been Oakland’s most consistent starter lately, allowing three earned runs or fewer in eight straight outings.

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