This is a 10* ASSASSIN on the Oakland Athletics.

The visitors hand the ball to Phil Hughes (8-6, 4.32 ERA) who gave up two runs off nine hits in a no-decision vs. the Orioles on Monday. Hughes has been as solid as you could possibly ask for this season, but note that this is a spot in which he's struggled in all year, going just 2-4 with a pedestrian 4.83 ERA away from friendly confines. The home side counters with Scott Kazmir (5-5, 2.49 ERA) who hasn't thrown since July 8th because of triceps tightness, but the 11 year veteran has been cleared to go in the second half and comes in having given up just six earned runs over his last 38 1/3's innings of work. And note, Kazmir has been almost unbeatable at home, going 4-2 with a tiny 1.40 ERA thus far. For the most part MLB handicapping comes down to the starting pitching and in this case, Kazmir gets the nod with the home field advantage, lay the price with confidence on the ATHLETICS.

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