Oakland Athletics Jason Hammel (9-9, 3.60 ERA) VS Atlanta Braves Alex Wood (8-9, 3.09 ERA)

The Oakland Athletics head to Turner Field Friday to kick off a three-game set with the slumping Atlanta Braves. Oakland stirred things up a little earlier this month with the trade of emerging all-star Yoenis Cespedes to the Boston Red Sox for veteran pitcher John Lester. While the fans in Oakland had doubts about the trade so far, it has paid off in the Athletics favor. Lester has yet to lose, posting a perfect 3-0 record with the A's. The Athletics are coming into this series after winning only one of three games against the Kansas City Royals. The Athletics are 8-6 since the trade with Boston occurred. The Oakland Athletics will send Jason Hammel to the mound, and he is 9-9 with a 3.60 ERA. In his last outing Hammel pitched six quality innings against the Minnesota Twins and surrendered four hits while giving up only one earned run.

The Atlanta Braves can't seem to get anything right since the return from the all-star break. The Braves are sliding out of playoff contention, winning only 10 of their last 26 games since the break. The Braves are coming into this series after dropping three of four against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Atlanta will send Alex Wood to the mound, and he is 8-9 with a 3.09 ERA. The Braves offensive struggles continue as they were in a dead lock with the Washington Nationals going into the all-star break to now find themselves five games back in the playoff race.

Oakland Athletics VS Atlanta Braves betting trends and odds:

Betonline has the Athletics listed as +104 underdogs with the "over/under" set at 7. The Oakland Athletics are 73-48 overall with a road record of 34-26. The Atlanta Braves are 61-60 overall with a home record of 34-28. The Athletics are 19-7 in their last 26 interleague games. This will be the first meeting between these two teams since May of 2008. The Braves are 3-12 their past fifteen games overall.

Oakland Athletics VS Atlanta Braves betting prediction:

These two teams are heading in completely different directions. The Athletics appear to be poised to make a run for the title, where the Braves appear to be in a downward spiral. After a disappointing series against the Dodgers, I don't see Atlanta bouncing back against an even more superior team as the Athletics. Take the Oakland Athletics on the Money Line here today.

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