Friday, August 15, 2014

Turner Field, Atlanta, Georgia

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

On Friday, Jason Hammel (1-4) will try to make it three straight solid starts when the Oakland Athletics take on left-hander Alex Wood (8-9) and the Atlanta Braves.

Jason Hammel ended up with a no decision in his start against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday despite pitching quite well in the game. He went 6.1 innings in that outing and gave up one run on four base hits whiles striking out five batters and walking two. He has a 3.60 ERA this year and he has struck out 123 hitters in 137.2 innings on the mound.

Braves outfielder Justin Upton has seven hits in his 27 at-bats against Hammel with two doubles, a home run and seven RBI. Jason Heyward is 7-for-12 against him with no walks and one strikeout.

23-year-old Alex Wood had one of his best starts of the year on Sunday when he defeated the Washington Nationals at home. He went 7.1 innings in that game and allowed one run on five hits while striking out a season-high 12 batters and walking three. His ERA is now down to 3.08 on the season and he has struck out 119 batters in 117 innings.

A's outfielder Jonny Gomes has a hit in his only at-bats against Wood with an RBI. All of the other Athletics' hitters will be going up against Wood for the first time on Friday night.

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 58-54-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.5

Atlanta Braves Betting Trends

Atlanta Braves are 49-63-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Atlanta Braves is 0

Injuries to Watch

Oakland Athletics

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

Atlanta Braves

08/12/14 SS Andrelton Simmons Ankle questionable
07/29/14 P Shae Simmons Shoulder 15-day DL (7/29)
06/20/14 P Gavin Floyd Elbow 60-day DL (6/20), out for season
06/20/14 P Pedro Beato Elbow 15-day DL (6/19)
03/29/14 P Brandon Beachy Elbow 60-day DL (3/21), out for season
03/29/14 P Cory Gearrin Elbow 60-day DL (3/26)
03/28/14 P Kris Medlen Elbow 60-day DL (3/21), out for season
03/28/14 P Jonny Venters Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Oakland

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