Chris Bassitt (1-4, 2.60 ERA) and Drew Smyly (0-2, 4.35 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Oakland Athletics (53-69) and the Tampa Bay Rays (60-61) at O.co Coliseum. Action begins at 10:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 21 and can be seen on CSCA and SUN.
Bassitt pitched 8.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering three runs, striking out six and walking one in a 4-3 defeat to the Orioles. Smyly went 4.0 innings, surrendering five runs, striking out four and walking two in a 5-3 defeat to the Rangers in his most recent start. Logan Forsythe (.281, 49 Rs, 13 HRs, 51 RBIs, 8 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Oakland is a slim -109 favorite at home against Tampa Bay. The matchup has an estimated Over/Under (O/U) of seven runs. The Athletics have an overall money line of -2,316 and a record as the favorite of 31-32. Opposing offenses have been stifled by the Athletics, who have a team ERA of only 3.63. The Athletics are the third-best team in the AL at limiting hits to their opponents, allowing only 8.1 hits per game so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Tampa Bay has a 30-36 record and an overall money line of -423. Tampa Bay’s pitching staff is one of the top in the AL, with a 3.64 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Rays are the best in the AL with an average of 7.9 hits allowed per game.
The Athletics have a bad 11-24 record against left-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Smyly takes the mound. Bassitt (RHP) will be on the hill against the Rays, who have a 38-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – TB, O/U – Over
Notes
Tampa Bay won its last game in a shutout, its 11th of the season. Oakland has been shut out seven times this season.
The Athletics are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Rays have a 22-34 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 7-46. The Rays have an 11-38 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 26th in home runs, Oakland has hit 96 this season. Tampa Bay ranks 17th with 111 home runs.
Ranking 12th, Tampa Bay is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.29 per game. Oakland ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 8.58.
Ranking 23rd, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.697). Tampa Bay ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .702.
When the Rays allow at least one home run, they are 28-46, well-matched with the Athletics who are 19-50 when allowing at least one homer.
