Thursday, August 14, 2014, 2:10 PM

Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri

Oakland Athletics - Samardzija, J (3-1) vs. Kansas City Royals - Shields, J (11-6)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Thursday afternoon, the Oakland Athletics will send Jeff Samardzija (5 – 8, 2.91 ERA) to the hill to face the Kansas City Royals and James Shields (11 – 6, 3.25 ERA).  Samardzija makes his 25th start as Shields makes his 26th.

Jeff Samardzija notched another one in the win column after giving up 2 runs and 7 hits through 6 innings in his last start.  He walked 2 batters and struck out 5.  Since coming over from the Chicago Cubs, Samardzija is 3 – 1 in 7 starts but his performances have been a mixed bag for Oakland despite his record.  Last season, Samardzija was 8 – 13 with a 4.34 ERA in 33 starts for the Cubs.

Samardzija didn’t face the Royals in 2013 but he has seen a few of the Kansas City hitters before.  Six of the Royals have faced Samardzija in the past but Norichika Aoki has the most experience.  Aoki is 7 of 16 against Samardzija with a double and 2 triples.

James Shields picked up his 2nd straight victory in his last outing.  In the win, Shields pitched his first complete game shutout of the season.  He allowed just 4 hits and a walk while striking out 5.  Shields is only 3 – 3 in his last starts but he is pitching better than that record indicates. He is within a few victories of matching his win total from 2013 when he went 13 – 9 with a 3.15 ERA in 34 starts.

Last season, Shields lost his only start against the A’s despite allowing just 2 runs (on 2 solo homers) and 6 hits in 8 innings of work.  He picked up a win over Oakland less than 2 weeks ago after holding them to 2 runs (on 2 solo homers) and 4 hits in 8 innings.       

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 57-54-7 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.4

Kansas City Royals Betting Trends

Kansas City Royals are 52-60-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Kansas City Royals is 0.2

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

Kansas City Royals

08/12/14 DH Josh Willingham Acquired questionable
08/01/14 1B Eric Hosmer Hand 15-day DL (8/1)
03/30/14 P Luke Hochevar Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Guy's Pick: Take Kansas City

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