Rich Hill (7-3, 2.18 ERA) takes the hill for the Oakland Athletics (21-29) as they square off against Mike Pelfrey (0-4, 5.55 ERA) and the Detroit Tigers (24-24) in the last of a three-game series at O.C. Coliseum. The Athletics won the last game 12-3, and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, May. 29 and can be seen on CSCA and FSDT.
Hill pitched 8.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs and striking out six in a 5-0 win over the Mariners. Danny Valencia (.311, 19 Rs, 7 HRs, 18 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 3 for 4 with three runs, one home run, and one RBI. Pelfrey went 6.0 innings, surrendering four runs and striking out three in a 5-4 win over the Phillies in his most recent start.
The odds for Oakland and Detroit are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently not available. The Athletics have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. Oakland’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
Offensively, the Tigers have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. The Tigers allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span.
The Tigers lead the season series, 4-2.
Predictions: SU Winner – DET
Notes
The Athletics managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Tigers who are coming in with a 9-8 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 4-25. The Tigers have a 4-15 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 13th in home runs, Oakland has hit 54 this season. Detroit ranks eighth with 62 home runs.
Ranking 16th, Oakland is in the bottom half of the league in hits, notching 8.44 per game. Detroit ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 9.17.
Ranking 25th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.689). Detroit ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .764.
When the Tigers allow at least one home run, they are 14-19. When the Athletics allow one or more homers, they have a 9-24 record.
