This is a 4:05 p.m. West Coast starting time, which is extremely rare for an Angels home game. There is a history of these Angels home games going under at that starting time because hitters have trouble picking up the ball due to the glare of the sun setting above the third base side. People who have attended these starting time games know what I'm talking about.

This isn't a problem during the Angels' usual 7 p.m. starting times games, but for these rare home games that start three hours earlier the sun plays havoc with hitters. Albert Pujols has been quoted as saying after one of these 4 p.m. games than he never could see the ball when batting.

A's starter Jesse Hahn last pitched on July 24 and pitched extremely well holding the Rays to one run on five hits with a five-to-one strikeout-to-walk ratio in 7 2/3 innings. Hahn certainly won't lack for motivation pitching for a rotation spot with Rich Hill dealt to the Dodgers.

Ricky Nolasco makes his first start for the Angels. He won't have to worry about Josh Reddick, who was one of the A's best hitters but was traded to the Dodgers. Nolasco is well traveled, but has given up only one earned run during two of his past three starts. Nolasco hasn't surrendered more than three earned runs during four of his last five starts going at least six innings in all but one of those starts.

Eric Cooper is slated to be the home plate umpire. The under has cashed 75 percent the past 16 times Cooper has been behind the plate.