Saturday, September 27, 2014

Globe Life Park in Arlington

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Right-hander Jeff Samardzija (5-5), who is 1-1 with a 1.24 ERA this month, will make the start for the Oakland Athletics when the take on Derek Holland (2-0) and the Texas Rangers on Saturday.

Jeff Samardzija gave up just one unearned run in seven innings against the Los Angeles Angels in his last start and picked up the win. He allowed five base hits in that game and struck out three without walking a batter. Samardzija now has a 2.88 ERA following that win and he has struck out 193 batters in 212.2 innings this season.

Rangers outfielder Alex Rios has just one hit in nine at-bats against Samardzija in his career with no walks and two strikeouts. None of the other Rangers have faced the right-hander more than three times.

Against the Houston Astros on Sunday, Derek Holland pitched seven solid innings and picked up his second win of the year. He gave up three runs (two earned) on seven base hits in that game and walked one batter while striking out two. His ERA now sits at 1.31 and he has only walked four batters in 34.1 innings on the mound.

A's All-Star Josh Donaldson has six hits in his 17 at-bats against Holland with two doubles, two home runs and three RBI. Outfielder Coco Crisp is just 4-for-22 against him with a home run and five strikeouts.

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 76-74-9 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Oakland Athletics is 0.9

Texas Rangers Betting Trends

Texas Rangers are 69-80-10 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Texas Rangers is -0.8

Injuries to Watch

Oakland Athletics

09/26/14 1B Brandon Moss Hip probable Friday vs. Texas Rangers
09/10/14 CF Craig Gentry Concussion out indefinitely
08/25/14 C John Jaso Concussion 15-day DL (9/8)
06/24/14 1B Kyle Blanks Calf 60-day DL (6/23)
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

Texas Rangers

09/19/14 P Scott Baker Tricep out indefinitely
09/17/14 RF Michael Choice Hamstring out for season
09/05/14 RF Alex Rios Thumb out for season
08/26/14 LF Shin-Soo Choo Elbow 60-day DL (8/26), out for season
08/13/14 P Yu Darvish Elbow 60-day DL (8/10); out for season
06/11/14 P Tanner Scheppers Elbow 60-day DL (6/11)
06/10/14 1B Mitch Moreland Ankle 15-day DL (6/8)
06/04/14 P Alexi Ogando Elbow 60-day DL (6/3)
06/04/14 P Matt Harrison Back 60-day DL (5/14), out for season
05/22/14 1B Prince Fielder Neck 60-day DL (5/17)
05/21/14 P Martin Perez Elbow 60-day DL (5/11)
04/25/14 3B Kevin Kouzmanoff Back 60-day DL (4/23); out for season
04/23/14 P Pedro Figueroa Elbow 60-day DL (4/23)
03/31/14 2B Jurickson Profar Shoulder 60-day DL (3/23)
03/28/14 RF Engel Beltre Leg 60-day DL (3/26)

Tony's Pick: Take Texas

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