Oakland at Tampa Bay

The Oakland A's look like a smoke-and-mirrors team. They are getting out of the sum of their parts more than any club. This isn't news anymore. The A's system has worked to their advantage with a limited payroll, as they are always better than they look. This year they look good enough to contend for a playoffs spot. Jerrod Parker is another in a long line of pitchers the A's seem to always develop, and he has pitched to a 3.48 ERA in his rookie season. He is also coming off a confidence-boosting 8 inning shutout in his last outing. Matt Moore has been his equal for the Rays at 10-7 with a similar ERA, so the pitching matchup is pretty even, and the Rays are getting too much respect based on that in the line. The A's are 20-7 in their last 27 as a dog, and 5-1 behind Parker against the rough and tumble AL East. Play on Oakland in this one.