Wednesday, August 20, 2014

O.co Coliseum in Oakland

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Wednesday afternoon, Zack Wheeler (8 – 8, 3.49 ERA) gets the call for the New York Mets as they face Jeff Samardzija (5 – 9, 2.96 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics.  Both pitchers will be making their 26th starts of the season.

Zack Wheeler ended up with the victory in his last start even though it wasn’t one of his better efforts.  Wheeler surrendered 2 runs and 4 hits in 6.2 innings.   He fanned 10 batters but he walked 4 as he threw a career-high 120 pitches.  Even with the strikeouts, 120 pitches in 6.2 innings is a lot for anyone.  Wheeler is giving up a lot of walks but he is 5 - 1 in his last 10 starts.  Last season, Wheeler was 7 – 5 with a 3.42 ERA in 17 starts.

Wheeler didn’t face the A’s during his rookie campaign in 2013 but he has a start against them earlier this season.  In that outing, took the loss after getting torched for 6 runs and 6 hits (including a homer) in just 2 innings. 

Jeff Samardzija dropped his 2nd game as a member of the Oakland Athletics in his last outing.  In the loss, Samardzija went 6.1 innings and surrendered 4 runs and 8 hits.  He didn’t issue any free passes and he struck out 5.  Since coming to Oakland from Chicago, Samardzija is 3 - 2 in 8 starts.  Last season with the Chicago Cubs, Samardzija was 8 – 13 with a 4.34 ERA in 33 starts.

In 2013, Samardzija didn’t face New York but he has seen 7 of the Mets before. Ruben Tejada is 4 for 9 (.444) against Samardzija. 

New York Mets Betting Trends

New York Mets are 54-57-14 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for New York Mets is 0

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 60-55-9 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.3

Injuries to Watch

New York Mets

08/14/14 P Jacob deGrom Shoulder 15-day DL (8/8)
07/26/14 P Daisuke Matsuzaka Elbow 15-day DL (7/24)
04/01/14 P Bobby Parnell Elbow 15-day DL (4/1), out for season
03/28/14 P Matt Harvey Elbow 60-day DL (3/30), out for season

Oakland Athletics

08/15/14 SS Jed Lowrie Finger 15-day DL (8/14)
08/03/14 2B Nick Punto Hamstring 15-day DL (8/3)
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 Oakland

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