Saturday, April 19, 4:05 PM

O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Oakland Athletics - Straily, D (1-1) vs. Houston Astros - Keuchel, D (2-1)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

The A's and Dan Straily (1-1) are in a good spot, boasting the league's 3rd best team ERA. That looks to improve facing the MLB's worst offense over a weekend series as Houston's Dallas Kuechel (2-1) takes the bump with an offense batting .199 behind him. Straily has been one of the few Oakland pitchers not thoroughly dominant so far this season, allowing 3 or more runs in 3 of his 4 starts. He has also allowed a HR in each game and 5 on the year for a 5.40 ERA.

Straily has made just two starts in his career against the Astros, both resulting in wins last season. He allowed 2 runs in 6.2 innings his first start of the year and pitched 7 innings of 2-hit shutout ball in early September. The Astros lineup is just 6 for 30 against the pitcher in their career, which bodes well for Straily improving on that season ERA.

Kuechel has been one of the few bright spots for a team that is still a few wins away from double-digits in that column for the season. The third year left-hander has squandered 2 runs or less in 3 of his 4 starts and has a pretty respectable 3.38 ERA. It may come as a surprise that the Astros are the top defensive team in baseball with a .992 fielding percentage and Kuechel has played that to his advantage.

Kuechel made all of his career appearances against Oakland in 2013, starting 3 games and appearing in 2 others for 0-2, 5.48 numbers. Kuechel will need to battle Yeonis Cespedes if he wants to improve his 2.37 ERA over his last 3 starts as the A's outfielder is 5 of 6 lifetime against the pitcher.

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 10-11-0 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.3

Houston Astros Betting Trends

Houston Astros are 9-12-1 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Houston Astros is -1.6

Injuries to Watch

Oakland Athletics

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 Astros

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)

Josh's Pick: Take Oakland

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