Monday, April 7, 4:10 PM on CSCA, FSN

Target Field, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Oakland - Kazmir, S (1-0) vs. Minnesota - Correia, K (0-0)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Scott Kazmir (1-0) looks to build on his strong start with Oakland as he takes on Kevin Correia (0-0) and the Twins Monday. Kazmir immediately paid dividends on his 2-year, $22 million deal with Oakland by pitching into the 8th inning against Cleveland while allowing 0 ER in a 6-1 A's win on April 2nd. Not bad for a guy who was out of baseball for basically two years in 2011 and 2012 as he retooled his mechanics and attempted to regain his confidence.

With Cleveland last year Kazmir made 5 starts against the Twins, going 3-0 with a 1.45 ERA. He allowed only 5 ER in those 5 starts over 31 innings of work while posting strikeouts per 9 innings numbers of 10.5. Minnesota's current roster has familiarity with Kazmir as 6 players have faced him over 10 times in their career but the combined batting average of the team is just .230.

Correia got the no-decision in his first start of the season, a 6-7 loss to the White Sox on April 2nd. He pitched 6 innings and allowed just 2 ER and was in line for the win with Minnesota leading 5-3 when he left before the 7th. Either way Correia avoided the loss as he looks to skip his 6th straight season with double-digit losses in the last year of his contract.

Correia pitched well in his only appearance against the A's last year, allowing just 2 ER over 5 innings in what would eventually be an 8-6 Oakland win. The A's current lineup has gone 10 for 35 in their careers against Correia for a combined average of .286 with 0 HR.

Oakland Betting Trends

Oakland is 1-3-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland is +0.5

Minnesota Betting Trends

Minnesota is 4-0-0 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Minnesota is -1.8

Injuries to Watch

Oakland 

04/04/14 SS Jake Elmore Quad 15-day DL (3/28)
04/01/14 P Ryan Cook Shoulder 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 P A.J. Griffin Elbow 15-day DL (3/21)
03/30/14 CF Craig Gentry Back 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

Minnesota 

No injuries to report at this time

Tony's Pick: Take Oakland

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