Week ahead for Angels

Monday through Thursday: at Oakland Athletics

Friday through Sunday: at Dodgers

The Moneyball era is dead, and the A’s are imitating the San Diego Padres, trying to mount an unlikely playoff run with virtually no offense and a deep but unheralded pitching staff. The depth is evaporating, and even the healthy arms are struggling to succeed. Dallas Braden has not won in five starts since his perfect game, though the A’s have scored a total of eight runs in those five games. Ben Sheets, the $10-million ace, has started 12 games and won two, and his 5.00 earned-run average is the highest among the starters. Brett Anderson, the future ace, started four games before going on the disabled list with a sore arm, started two more, then went back on the disabled list. Justin Duchscherer started five games before the A’s lost him to season-ending hip surgery.

— Bill Shaikin