Wednesday, August 6, 2014, 3:35 PM on SUN

O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

Tampa Bay Rays - Hellickson, J (0-1) vs. Oakland Athletics - Gray, S (12-4)

For Updated Odds on This Game Click Here

Wednesday afternoon, the Tampa Bay Rays will send Jeremy Hellickson (0 – 1, 3.29 ERA) to the mound to take on the Oakland Athletics and Sonny Gray (12 – 4, 2.59 ERA).  Hellickson makes his 4th start as Gray makes his 23rd.

Jeremy Hellickson got his 1st decision of the season in his last start but that decision turned out to be a loss.  He surrendered 4 runs on 6 hits (including 2 home runs) in just 4.2 innings. Hellickson walked 2 and struck out 4.  He hasn’t gone 5 innings in any of his starts, but he is still making his comeback from elbow surgery and there will be time for him to get his game together. Last season, he went 12 - 10 with a 5.17 ERA in 31 starts and a relief appearance.

In 2013, Hellickson won his only start against the A’s after throwing 7 shutout innings. He has seen many of the A’s before and Oakland is batting .212 against him with 14 hits, 3 home runs and 7 RBIs in 66 at-bats.

Sonny Gray took his first loss in nearly 2 months in his last outing.  But it was a hard luck loss for Gray as he surrendered just a run (on a solo homer) and 3 hits in 7 innings.  He didn’t issue any walks and struck out 7.  But his offense got shutout and his impressive effort was wasted.  Gray is 6 – 3 in his last 10 starts and hasn’t given up more than 2 runs in a game in over a month.  He was 5 – 3 with a 2.67 ERA in 10 starts and 2 relief appearances during his rookie season in 2013.

Last season, Gray beat the Rays in his only start against them by holding them to just 5 hits in 6.2 innings.  Tampa Bay is batting just .175 against Gray with 10 hits, a homer and 3 RBIs in 57 at-bats.

Tampa Bay Rays Betting Trends

Tampa Bay Rays are 53-52-5 against the Over/Under

Run Differential for Tampa Bay Rays is 0

Oakland Athletics Betting Trends

Oakland Athletics are 54-48-7 against the Over/Under

Run differential for Oakland Athletics is 1.5

Injuries to Watch

Tampa Bay Rays

07/18/14 C Ryan Hanigan Oblique 15-day DL (7/9)
06/24/14 LF Jerry Sands Wrist 15-day DL (6/22), out for season
06/19/14 LF David DeJesus Hand 15-day DL (6/19)
06/01/14 RF Wil Myers Wrist 60-day DL (5/31)
04/08/14 P Matt Moore Elbow 60-day DL (4/8), out for season
03/30/14 2B Tim Beckham Knee 60-day DL (3/30)

Oakland Athletics

08/03/14 CF Coco Crisp Neck questionable
08/03/14 2B Nick Punto Hamstring 15-day DL
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

Guy's Pick: Take Oakland

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