The Oakland Athletics (38-23) and Baltimore Orioles (30-29) will continue an American League series Saturday night at Oriole Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:15 p.m. ET
Oakland Athletics vs. Baltimore Orioles
Oakland has won six of its last seven games, including a 4-3 victory over Baltimore as -108 road favorites Friday, while going UNDER the betting total for the third time in four contests. The Athletics dropped five of seven games against the Orioles a year ago—their first season series loss in the matchup since 1998. The team’s 21-11 record away from the Bay Area has helped produce the AL’s best record heading into the weekend. Oakland is 35-25 in June dating back to the 2012 campaign.
Athletics starting pitcher Sonny Gray (6-1, 2.45 ERA) earned a 6-3 home victory over the Los Angeles Angels in his last effort—giving up three runs and seven hits over 6.2 innings of work. The right-hander has put together a perfect 3-0 record and 1.25 ERA in five road appearances, with opposing hitters batting .160 against him. Gray allowed six runs on eight hits over just 3.1 frames in his only career start against the Orioles on Aug. 25 of last season.
Baltimore has dropped two straight games, while the OVER is on a 4-1 run. Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy figures to lead the offense, as he’s batting .389 in his last 18 games, but he’s made four errors in the past two after having one in his first 49 contests. It’s important to point out that the club has gone 2-7 in its last nine home games, with the starting rotation compiling a 5.13 ERA in that period of time. Baltimore is 9-8 versus teams with a winning record this season.
Orioles starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (0-1, 11.25 ERA) will be recalled from Triple-A Norfolk before the game, as he prepares to face the Athletics and a team from the AL West for the first time in his career. The right-hander has pitched to a 2.98 ERA in 10 starts for Norfolk thus far in 2014. Gausman was handed a 7-5 home defeat by the Detroit Tigers in his previous call-up performance on May 14.
Sports bettors will likely play the total, as the Orioles have gone OVER the number in six of their last seven games versus right-handed starters.
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