Saturday, August 30, 2014

Angel Stadium of Anaheim in Anaheim

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Left-hander Jeff Samardzija (4-3), who has a 4.65 ERA in five starts this month, will take the mound for the Oakland Athletics on Saturday night when they face Cory Rasmus and the Los Angeles Angels.

On Monday, Jeff Samardzija had a solid start against the Houston Astros and picked up his sixth win of the season. He pitched eight innings in that game and allowed just two runs on six base hits while walking one batter and striking out 10. Samardzija now has a 6-10 overall record this year and he has struck out 156 strikeouts in 175.2 innings on the mound.

Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton is 2-for-3 against Samardzija in his career with two home runs and four RBI. First baseman Albert Pujols is 6-for-13 against him with a double, three home runs and nine RBI.

Cory Rasmus is expected to make his first Major League start on Saturday after spending his whole career coming out of the bullpen. He did throw a career-high 51 pitches in his relief appearance against the Miami Marlins on Monday, so he should be able to throw three or four innings against the A's. On the year, Rasmus has a 2.68 ERA and he has struck out 38 batters in 37 innings.

A's catcher Derek Norris is 0-for-4 against Rasmus in his career with no walks and three strikeouts. Coco Crisp is 1-for-3 against him with a single and an RBI.

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 66-57-9 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.2

Los Angeles Angels Betting Trends

Los Angeles Angels are 63-64-5 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Los Angeles Angels is 0.8

Injuries to Watch

Oakland Athletics

08/25/14 C John Jaso Concussion out indefinitely
08/24/14 P Sean Doolittle Ribs 15-day DL (8/24)
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 60-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

Los Angeles Angels

08/22/14 P Garrett Richards Knee 60-day DL (8/21), out for season
08/03/14 P Joe Thatcher Ankle 15-day DL (8/3)
08/01/14 P Tyler Skaggs Forearm 60-day DL (7/31), out for season
07/24/14 2B Grant Green Back 15-day DL (7/20)
05/28/14 P Sean Burnett Elbow 15-day DL (5/29), out for season
05/12/14 3B Ian Stewart Hand 15-day DL (5/11)
04/17/14 P Ryan Brasier Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P Brian Moran Elbow 60-day DL (3/21)

Josh's Pick: Take Los Angeles

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