Sunday, August 3, 2014, 4:05 PM on FSKC, CSCA

O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Kansas City Royals - Shields, J (9-6) vs. Oakland Athletics - Kazmir, S (12-3)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

On Sunday, James Shields (9-6) will be hoping to notch his first win since June 7 when he and the Kansas City Royals take on All-Star Scott Kazmir (12-3) and the Oakland Athletics.

James Shields pitched well enough to get the win in his start against the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday, but he ended up taking the loss after getting just one run from his offense. He pitched six innings in that outing and gave up two runs (one earned) on six hits while striking out five batters and walking four. He now has a 3.50 ERA this year and he has only walked two batters per nine innings.

A's All-Star Josh Donaldson has two hits in his three at-bats against Shields with a solo home run. Outfielder Coco Crisp has just three hits against him in 21 at-bats with no walks and five strikeouts.

Left-hander Scott Kazmir finished July with a 3-0 record when he was able to beat the Texas Rangers on the road on Sunday. He pitched five innings in that game and allowed just two runs on seven hits while walking two and striking out two. He has one of the best ERAs in baseball at 2.37 and he has only given up 102 hits in 129.1 innings this season.

Royals outfielder Alex Gordon has just a .240 batting average against Kazmir in 25 at-bats, but he does have two doubles and a home run against him. Eric Hosmer is 6-for-15 against the southpaw with an RBI.

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 49-53-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Kansas City Royals is 0

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 53-47-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.5

Injuries to Watch

Kansas City Royals

08/01/14 1B Eric Hosmer Hand expected to miss a month
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Oakland Athletics

07/30/14 CF Coco Crisp Neck doubtful Friday vs Kansas City Royals
07/29/14 CF Craig Gentry Hand 15-day DL (7/28)
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 Kansas City

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