MLB Picks: Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees

The Oakland Athletics (35-22) and New York Yankees (29-27) will open up an American League series Tuesday night at Yankee Stadium, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 p.m. ET

Oakland Athletics vs. New York Yankees

New York Yankees SS Derek Jeter has enjoyed little success against Tuesday's starting pitcher — New York Yankees SS Derek Jeter has enjoyed little success against Tuesday’s starting pitcher

Oakland has won three games in a row, including a 6-3 victory over the Los Angeles Angels as -149 home favorites Sunday, while going OVER the betting total in six of its last seven contests. The Athletics are happy that third baseman Josh Donaldson is starting to turn things around again, as he went 11 for 28 with four home runs and 12 RBIs on the team’s most recent homestand. Oakland is 9-3 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125, with the UNDER going 8-4 in that situation.

Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (6-2, 2.36 ERA) has led the team to three wins in his last four efforts, including a 3-1 home victory over the Detroit Tigers last time out, as he allowed a single run and six hits in a complete game performance. The left-hander is 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA in six road appearances—surrendering just a single home run in 31.1 combined frames. In his last five starts versus the Bronx Bombers, Kazmir has compiled a 1-4 record and 7.27 ERA.

New York has dropped three of its last four games, including a 10-2 blowout loss to the Seattle Mariners as +121 home underdogs Monday, while going OVER the betting total for a second consecutive affair. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter may sit this one out, considering he’s 6 for 42 in his career against Kazmir—his worst average against any left-handed pitcher that he’s faced at least 25 times. New York is 0-4 as home underdogs of +100 to +125.

Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda (4-3, 4.57 ERA) registered a 7-4 road victory over the St. Louis Cardinals last time out, as he gave up three runs and nine hits over 5.2 innings of work. The right-hander is 3-2 with a 5.60 ERA in six home outings, with opposing hitters batting .291 against him. Kuroda has put together a 0-2 record and 6.94 ERA in two career home starts versus the Athletics.