Thursday's MLB plays

Play: Houston +1.5 -115 and Oak/Hou over 8 -115 (Kazmir vs. Oberholtzer)

Time: 8:10 p.m. ET

Reasoning: The Astros come into this one having scored 15 runs over their last three games and winning a series at Seattle. The Athletics were swept by Texas over the same time period and they managed just three hits yesterday.  Oakland would be 9-12 if it was giving 1.5 runs per game.  Houston would be 10-12 if it was given 1.5 runs per game. The Astros are hitting 20 points higher against LH. The A's are hitting 47 points lower and scoring an astonishing 2.75 less runs per game vs. LH. Oakland starter Scott Kazmir has a 4.13 ERA lifetime against Houston. His counterpart, Brett Oberholtzer of the Aztros, has a 1.54 ERA in his career vs. the A's.


Play: Philadelphia +1.5 -140 (Kendrick vs. Haren)

Time: 10:10 p.m. ET

Reasoning: The Phillies have taken two of the first three games of this series and they likely won't have to face Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen tonight because he has pitched four of the last five days.The Dodgers would be 10-12 if they were giving 1.5 runs per game. Philadelphia would be 13-8 if it was given 1.5 rpg. Los Angeles starter Dan Haren is 1-4 with a 5.09 ERA in eight career starts against the Phillies. The Dodgers are hitting just .217 and scoring just 3.88 rpg vs. RH over their last 10 games. And tonight they will face another right-hander in Kyle Kendrick, who sports a 3.60 ERA.



Record: 55-36-3 (60.4%)