Thursday, July 24, 2014, 3:35 PM on CSNH

O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Houston Astros - Feldman, S (4-7) vs. Oakland Athletics - Samardzija, J (1-1)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, Scott Feldman gets the call for the Houston Astros as they take on Jeff Samardzija and the Oakland Athletics. It will be Feldman's 18 ^th start and Samardzija's 21^st start.

Scott Feldman took his 2^nd straight loss in his last start and that lowered his record to 4 - 7 with a 4.30 ERA. In that outing, Feldman gave up 3 runs and 7 hits (including a homer) in 7 innings while walking 3 and striking out 2. Feldman hasn't had a victory in nearly a month and is 1 -3 in his last 5 starts. It's a long shot that he will even come close to his results from 2013 when he went 12 - 12 with a 3.86 ERA in 30 starts for the Baltimore Orioles and the Chicago Cubs.

Last season, Feldman won his only start against the A's after allowing just a run and 3 hits in 5 innings. Oakland is batting .260 with 19 hits, 3 home runs and 12 RBIs in 73 at-bats.

Jeff Samardzija pitched to a no-decision his last time out and that held his record at 3 - 8 with a 2.91 ERA. In his last start, Samardzija gave up 4 runs and 6 hits (including 2 homers) in 7 innings. He walked a batter and struck out 4. Samardzija has pitched better than his record indicates but he has suffered from a lack of run support this season. Last season, he went 8 -13 with a 4.34 ERA in 33 starts for the Chicago Cubs.

In 2013, Samardzija won his only outing against the Astros despite allowing 4 runs and 9 hits in 7 innings. In his career, Samardzija has held the Astros to a .232 average with 13 hits, a homer and 3 RBIs in 56 at-bats.

Houston Astros Betting Trends

Houston Astros are 46-50-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Houston Astros is -0.9

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 47-44-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.5

Injuries to Watch

Houston Astros

07/12/14 P Collin McHugh Finger 15-day DL (7/7)
07/08/14 RF Alex Presley Oblique 15-day DL (7/7)
07/01/14 CF Dexter Fowler Back 15-day DL (6/27)
06/21/14 P Jose Cisnero Elbow 60-day DL (6/20)
04/26/14 P Matt Albers Shoulder 15-day DL (4/22)
03/31/14 P Alex White Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Jesse Crain Bicep 60-day DL (3/21)

Oakland Athletics

07/12/14 2B Alberto Callaspo Hamstring 15-day DL (7/11)
06/29/14 RF Josh Reddick Knee 15-day DL (6/26)
06/24/14 1B Kyle Blanks Calf 15-day DL (6/23)
04/04/14 SS Jake Elmore Quad 60-day DL (3/28)
03/30/14 P A.J. Griffin Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Fernando Rodriguez Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Jarrod Parker Elbow 60-day DL (3/20), out for season

Tony's Pick: Take Houston

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