Wednesday, July 30, 2014, 2:10 PM on CSNH

Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

Oakland Athletics - Hammel, J (0-3) vs. Houston Astros - Keuchel, D (9-7)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Wednesday afternoon, the Oakland Athletics will send Jason Hammel (8 - 8, 3.41 ERA) to the hill to take on the Houston Astros and Dallas Keuchel (9 - 7, 3.11 ERA). It will be the 21^st start for Hammel and the 20^th for Keuchel.

Jason Hammel picked up his 3^rd straight loss in his last outing after allowing 4 runs and 7 hits in 5.2 innings. He walked 2 and struck out 3. Hammel hasn't notched a victory in his 3 starts for the A's and he hasn't had a win in nearly a month. Hammel was a different pitcher in Chicago and the change in cities and leagues could be the reason even though he has pitched in the AL before. Last season, with the Baltimore Orioles, Hammel was 7 - 8 with a save and a 4.97 ERA in 23 starts and 3 relief appearances.

In 2013, Hammel didn't face the Astros and he has only seen 4 of their hitters before. Only Jose Altuve has a hit off of Hammel and he is 1 for 3 against the veteran righty.

Dallas Keuchel was a hard luck loser in his last outing. Keuchel pitched 7 solid innings and allowed just 2 runs on 9 hits. He didn't issue any free passes as he struck out 7. But Keuchel's offense was shutout and his good efforts were wasted. It was the 2^nd straight loss for Keuchel and in his last 6 starts, he is 1 - 4. Last season, Keuchel posted a record of 6 - 10 with a 5.15 ERA in 22 starts and 9 relief appearances.

In 2013, Keuchel was 0 - 2 with a 5.48 ERA in 3 starts and 2 relief appearances against the A's. This season, Keuchel pitched to a no-decision against Oakland after allowing 3 runs and 6 hits in 6.1 innings.

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 50-47-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.6

Houston Astros Betting Trends

Houston Astros are 49-53-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Houston Astros is -1

Injuries to Watch

Oakland Athletics

07/28/14 CF Coco Crisp Neck expected to miss series vs. Houston Astros
07/12/14 2B Alberto Callaspo Hamstring 15-day DL (7/11)
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

Houston Astros

07/23/14 RF George Springer Knee 15-day DL (7/20)
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 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)

Josh's Pick: Take Houston

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