TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION SUNDAY, AUGUST 30TH
#915 OAKLAND with Luzardo (-110) over Houston with Valdez at 2:10 PM EST
It’s gut-check time for the A’s. Off a pair of losses to the ‘Stros on Saturday and clinging to just a 2.5-game lead in the AL West standings, the Athletics need this victory like blood.
In order to get things turned around immediately, manager Bob Melvin will hand the pearl to southpaw Jesus Luzardo. In the month of August, No. 44 has made five starts for the A’s and surrendered 11 earned runs and 27 hits in 27.0 innings of work. Luzardo struck out 27 and walked 10 on his way to a 2-1 record with a reliable 3.67 ERA. Back on August 9th, Jesus got the “W” at home against Houston and limited the Astros to just two earned runs and five hits in 5.2 frames. Luzardo’s 89-pitch effort was more than enough in the Athletics 7-2 victory.
Countering for the home team will be left-hander Frambler Valdez. So far this season, No. 59 has appeared in six games for the ‘Stros (five starts) and been tagged for 10 earned runs and 33 hits in 38.3 innings. Valdez has whiffed 40 and issued only nine free passes en route to a 3-2 tally and a respectable 2.35 ERA. Frambler faced the A’s on the road back on August 8th. Valdez limited the Athletics to one earned run and seven hits in 7.0 frames. Unfortunately, the Astros offense forgot to show up and Frambler got tagged with a frustrating 3-1 loss.
There are a couple of impressive team trends that support this Best Bet. Oakland has tasted victory in 61 of its last 98 against division foes over the past two years and 42 of its last 55 when matched up against a left-handed starter.
The A’s are starting to feel pressure in the division and they’ll need to find a few quality road wins if they truly want to earn the AL West title this year. This is one of them. Take Oakland. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
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