A’s vs. Indians Preview and Pick

Two teams looking to get on a roll meet when the Oakland A’s visit the Cleveland Indians in the opener of a 3-game series Tuesday night at Jacobs Field.

Oakland has won four of its last five games, holding opponents to just four runs in that span, and sits in 2nd place in the AL West, 3 ½ games back of division-leading Texas.

Cleveland has won four of its last six games and holds down 3rd place in the AL Central, 8 ½ games behind division-leading Detroit.

These two teams split a pair of games in an abbreviated series a month ago.The Indians won the season series with the A’s last year 6 games to 3, with the over/under going 2-5-2.

Oakland is 12-15 on the road this season, while Cleveland is 17-13 at home.

A’s lefty Zito (5-3, 2.87) has been absolutely great lately, allowing just 6 ER in his last 48 IP. But Oakland is just 6-6 in Zito’s starts this year, the o/u 5-7.

In three starts vs. the Indians last year, Zito allowed 9 ER and 28 H+W in 18 1/3 IP.

Cleveland starter Westbrook (5-3, 5.00) has given up 20 ER in his last 39 IP. The Indians are 5-6 in Westbrook’s starts this year, the o/u 7-4.

In three starts vs. the A’s last year, Westbrook held Oakland to 4 ER and 15 H+W in 21 IP.

The A’s rank 9th in the AL with a team OBP of .326 this year, and are averaging 4.4 runs per game.

Cleveland owns a healthy .362 team OBP this season, 4th-best in the league, and averages 5.8 RPG (5.7 vs. LH pitching).

The Oakland bullpen has limited foes to just 3 ER and 20 H+W in its last 16 1/3 IP.

The Indians pen has been hit for 16 ER and 23 H+W in its last 15 innings of work.

Oakland’s Frank Thomas is listed as questionable for Tuesday’s game with a bum leg.

The o/u is 26-30 in A’s games this year, and Oakland’s last five games have all stayed under the posted totals. But the o/u is also 34-20 in Cleveland games this season, 18-11 at Jacobs Field.

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The Ultimatecapper Pick: Frank Thomas has really been keeping the A’s afloat lately along with their bullpen. We sniff out a lack of runs in this game and are siding with the UNDER. Good luck!