Thursday, April 24, 8:10 PM on CSCA, CSNH

Minute Maid Park, Houston, Texas

Oakland - Kazmir, S (2-0) vs. Houston - Oberholtzer, B (0-3)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Scott Kazmir (2-0) looks to build on his strong outing the last time out against Houston as the A's meet up with the Astros and Brett Oberholtzer (0-3) for a 4-game weekend set. Kazmir has been outstanding in 2014, pitching shutouts in every other start this season. That bodes well if the streak continues as the 30-year-old gave up 2 runs to these Astros the last time out. Kazmir is enjoying a career resurgence after a 10-9 campaign last year as he's given up just 5 runs over 27.1 IP for a 2014 ERA that stands at 1.65

The A's completed the sweep of Houston over a 3-game set last weekend as Kazmir had his longest outing of the year. He pitched 8 full innings and allowed 2 ER on 6 hits but left trailing 1-3 before Oakland tapped Chad Qualls for 3-runs in the bottom of the 9th. Kazmir started two games against Houston last year, going 1-0 with a 5.23 ERA. The Houston native got rocked for 6 runs in 3.1 innings in his only career start at Minute Maid park on April 20th of last year.

Oberholtzer has pitched well pretty much all season but has nothing to show for it in the 2014 win column. After allowing 3 runs and 5 hits in each of his two first starts, Oberholtzer has buckled down, giving up 2 total runs his last 2 outings while walking only 2 batters as well. The 24-year-old lefty has lowered his ERA to 3.04 on the season but has received only 4 runs of support all year from the Astro offense.

The sentiment of no run support rang true in Oberholtzer's only start against Oakland in 2013. The pitcher hurled 6 solid innings giving up just a solo HR to Yeonis Cespedes, but the Astros offense failed to score a run and Oberholtzer got the loss despite a 1.50 game ERA.

Oakland Betting Trends

Oakland is 9-10-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland is +1.6

Houston Betting Trends

Houston is 9-11-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Houston is -1.8

Injuries to Watch

Oakland

04/04/14 SS Jake Elmore Quad 15-day DL (3/28)
03/30/14 P A.J. Griffin Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Fernando Rodriguez Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/28/14 P Eric O'Flaherty Elbow 60-day DL (2/17)
03/28/14 P Jarrod Parker Elbow 60-day DL (3/20), out for season

Houston

04/21/14 P Scott Feldman Bicep 15-day DL (4/21)
03/31/14 P Alex White Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Asher Wojcie Side 15-day DL (3/21)
03/31/14 P Jesse Crain Bicep 15-day DL (3/21)

Tony's Pick: Take Oakland

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