In the third of a four-game series between the Baltimore Orioles (59-56) and the Oakland Athletics (51-67) at Camden Yards, Wei-Yin Chen (6-6, 3.21 ERA) and Kendall Graveman (6-8, 3.89 ERA) take the mound. The Athletics lost the last game 4-3, extending a five-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 16 and will air on CSCA and MASN.
In his most recent outing, Chen pitched 7.1 innings, giving up one run, striking out five and walking two in a 3-2 victory over the Mariners. Chris Davis (.259, 67 Rs, 34 HRs, 88 RBIs, 1 SB) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, two home runs, and three RBIs. The Athletics were unsuccessful to the Blue Jays 4-2 the last time Graveman pitched. He went 4.2 innings, allowing two runs (two unearned), striking out four and walking one. Ben Zobrist (.278, 46 Rs, 9 HRs, 41 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Athletics, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Baltimore, a -173 favorite, will look to capitalize at home against Oakland. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is eight runs. When playing as the favorite, the Orioles have a 36-26 record and overall money line at -91. Over the last 10 games, they have a very good record when playing as the favorite (3-1). The Orioles are a power hitting team with 151 home runs, one of the highest totals in the MLB.
Across the field, the Athletics have a subpar record of 20-34 when they are the underdog and are -2,342 overall with the money line. They have a WHIP of 1.20 on the year, good for fifth in the league. The Oakland pitching staff has been an intimidating group on the road this year, averaging 7.6 strikeouts per game.
The Orioles are 4-1 against the Athletics this season. The Orioles will take on a right-hander (Graveman) in this game and have a 41-45 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Chen will take the mound against the Athletics. Against lefty starters this season, they have a terrible 9-23 record overall and 2-12 on the road.
Predictions: SU Winner – Bal, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland has won 42% (21-29) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Baltimore has won 59% (23-16) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Orioles have a 16-21 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 7-44. The Orioles have a 10-40 record when opponents outhit them.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 25th when it comes to home runs, hitting 93 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top five at fourth with 151.
Baltimore and Oakland both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Baltimore sits at 10th with 8.54 hits per game and Oakland ranks eighth with 8.62.
Ranking 23rd, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.697). Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .731.
The Athletics are 17-48 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Orioles are 32-39 when they allow at least one homer.
