Monday, August 25, 2014

Minute Maid Park in Houston

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Monday night, the Oakland Athletics will take the field behind Jeff Samardzija (5 – 10, 3.27 ERA) as they face the Houston Astros and Scott Feldman (7 – 9, 4.37 ERA).  Samardzija makes his 27th start as Feldman makes his 24th.

Jeff Samardzija dropped his 2nd straight game his last time out.  Samardzija was torched for 7 runs and 7 hits (including 2 home runs) in just 3.2 innings of work.  He walked 2 and struck out 3.  It was easily one of Samardzija’s worst efforts of the year and his worst in Oakland since coming over from the Chicago Cubs.   He is 3 – 3 in 9 starts in Oakland.  Last season, Samardzija was 8 – 13 with an ERA of 4.34 in 33 starts for the Cubs. 

In 2013, Samardzija won his only start against the Astros after allowing 4 runs and 9 hits in 7 innings.  This season, he is 1 – 0 in 2 starts against Houston. 

Scott Feldman notched the victory in his last outing after holding the opposition to 2 runs and 8 hits (including a home run) in 6.2 innings of work.  He walked 2 and struck out 7.  Feldman is 3 -1 in his last 4 starts but he is only 4 -4 in his last 10 outings.  Last season, Feldman was 12 - 12 with a 3.86 ERA in 30 starts for the Baltimore Orioles and the Houston Astros.

In 2013, Feldman won his only start against the A’s after holding them to a run on 3 hits in 5 innings.  This season, he is 0 – 1 in 2 starts against Oakland.        

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 63-56-9 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.3

Houston Astros Betting Trends

Houston Astros are 62-65-3 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Houston Astros is -0.7

Injuries to Watch

Oakland Athletics

08/24/14 3B Josh Donaldson Rest questionable
08/15/14 SS Jed Lowrie Finger 15-day DL (8/14)
08/03/14 2B Nick Punto Hamstring 15-day DL (8/3)
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

08/22/14 P Brad Peacock Forearm questionable
07/29/14 P Josh Zeid Foot 15-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)

Josh's Pick: Take Oakland

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