Chris Bassitt (1-4, 2.48 ERA) is on the hill for the Oakland Athletics (51-66) as they square off against Miguel Gonzalez (9-8, 4.45 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (58-56) in the second of a four-game series at Camden Yards. The Orioles won the last game 8-6 and Baltimore leads the series 1-0. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Aug. 15 and can be seen on CSCA and MASN.
Gonzalez pitched 4.2 innings in his most recent start, surrendering four runs, striking out six and walking two in a 5-4 defeat to the Angels. Chris Davis (.257, 65 Rs, 32 HRs, 85 RBIs, 1 SB) had another good game yesterday, going 3 for 6 with one run, one home run, and two RBIs. Bassitt went 6.2 innings, surrendering one run, striking out 10 and walking two in a 5-4 defeat to the Astros in his last outing. Ben Zobrist (.278, 46 Rs, 9 HRs, 41 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Athletics, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Baltimore is a -153 favorite against Oakland and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Orioles have an overall money line of -91 and a record as the favorite of 36-26. Baltimore is an impressive 3-1 as the favorite over its last 10 games. The Orioles are one of the best in the MLB in terms of home runs with 148.
Over in the other dugout, Oakland is coming in with an overall money line of -2,342 and a disappointing record of 20-34 as the underdog. The Athletics have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.6 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Orioles lead the season series, 3-1. The Orioles have a 41-45 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Bassitt takes the mound. Gonzalez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a 42-43 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bal, O/U – Over
Notes
The Orioles managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Athletics who are coming in with a 22-20 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 7-44. The Orioles have a 9-40 record when opponents outhit them.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 26th when it comes to home runs, hitting 91 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 148.
Baltimore and Oakland both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Baltimore sits at 10th with 8.47 hits per game and Oakland ranks eighth with 8.54.
Ranking 23rd, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.696). Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at ninth with an OPS of .731.
When the Athletics allow at least one home run, they are 17-47. When the Orioles allow one or more homers, they have a 31-39 record.
