Friday, September 5, 2014

O.co Coliseum in Oakland

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Second-year starter Brett Oberholtzer (4-10) will go for his first win since August 2 when he and the Houston Astros face off against Jeff Samardzija (4-4) and the Oakland Athletics on Friday night.

Last Saturday, Brett Oberholtzer lost his second consecutive game when he was beaten by the Texas Rangers at home. He went 4.1 innings in that start and gave up a season-high seven runs on nine hits while striking out two batters and walking one. The left-hander now has a 4.39 ERA on the season and he has given up 142 hits in 121 innings on the mound.

A's All-Star Josh Donaldson has six hits in 13 at-bats against Oberholtzer with four doubles, a home run and three RBI. Catcher Derek Norris is 3-for-13 against him with two walks and four strikeouts.

Jeff Samardzija pitched a complete game against the Los Angeles Angels on the road on Sunday, but he ended up taking the loss after getting zero runs from his offense. He gave up two runs (one earned) in his eight innings of work that day while striking out nine batters and walking no one. Samardzija is now 6-11 overall this year with a solid 3.14 ERA and he has struck out 165 batters in 183.2 innings.

Astros designated hitter Chris Carter is 5-for-12 against Samardzija in his career with two doubles, two home runs and four RBI.

Houston Astros Betting Trends

Houston Astros are 66-71-3 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Houston Astros is -0.6

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 68-62-9 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.1

Injuries to Watch

Houston Astros

07/29/14 P Josh Zeid Foot 60-day DL (7/25), out for season
07/23/14 RF George Springer Knee 15-day DL (7/20)
07/08/14 RF Alex Presley Oblique 15-day DL (7/7)
06/21/14 P Jose Cisnero Elbow 60-day DL (6/20)
04/26/14 P Matt Albers Shoulder 60-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

09/01/14 CF Coco Crisp Neck out indefinitely
08/25/14 C John Jaso Concussion out indefinitely
08/24/14 P Sean Doolittle Ribs 15-day DL (8/24)
08/03/14 2B Nick Punto Hamstring 15-day DL (8/3)
06/24/14 1B Kyle Blanks Calf 60-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

Josh's Pick: Take Oakland

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