Sonny Gray (12-5, 2.10 ERA) starts for the Oakland Athletics (55-73) as they square off against Chase Anderson (6-5, 4.28 ERA) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (62-64) in the first of a three-game series at Chase Field. Action begins at 9:40 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 28 and can be seen on CSCA and FSAZ.
Anderson pitched 6.2 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs, striking out two and walking three in a 4-0 win over the Reds. David Peralta (.302, 49 Rs, 13 HRs, 67 RBIs, 5 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. Gray went 8.0 innings, surrendering three runs, striking out four and walking two in a 5-4 defeat to the Rays in his most recent start. Ben Zobrist (.288, 58 Rs, 10 HRs, 46 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Athletics, going 2 for 4 Wednesday with one run.
Oakland takes on Arizona as a -130 favorite. The Over/Under (O/U) for the matchup is sitting at seven runs. The Diamondbacks have an overall money line of +170 and a record as the underdog of 37-40. Against the AL, they have had a solid season, earning 7-3 and 9-5 records as the underdog and SU respectively. Arizona is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 110 bases.
In games where it is the favorite, Oakland has a 31-34 record and an overall money line of -2,527. They have been on a bit of a dry streak over their last 10 games, recording zero wins when playing as the favorite and with an SU record of 4-6. Offensively, the Athletics have really picked up the pace in interleague games. They have exceeded their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 5.0 in those contests. The Athletics allow 4.0 runs per game, but have damaged those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 5.6 runs per game during that span. The Athletics have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an AL-best 7.5 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Diamondbacks have a 48-46 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Gray takes the mound. Anderson (RHP) will be on the hill against the Athletics, who have a 44-47 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – Oak, O/U – Over
Notes
Oakland recorded at least two errors for the 22nd time this season.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Diamondbacks are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Athletics have a 14-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 7-47. The Diamondbacks have a 12-41 record when opponents outhit them.
Oakland ranks near the bottom of the league at 26th when it comes to home runs, hitting 103 this season. Arizona ranks in the bottom half at 19th with 115.
Arizona ranks at the top of the league when it comes to hits with 9.32 per game this season. Oakland ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 8.65.
Ranking 23rd, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.701). Arizona ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .737.
The Athletics are 20-54 when they allow at least one home run. The Diamondbacks perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 30-53 record.
