Oakland at Cincinnati

The Oakland A's are for real. After surprisingly winning the AL West last year, they are once again poised in first place this year as we head into the final third of the season. One big reason has been the pitching of Bartolo Colon who enters at 14-3 with a 2.50 ERA on the season. Colon has allowed 2 runs or less in each of his last seven starts, while pitching 15 consecutive quality starts, so you know that the A's will be in this one. He also owns a 3-0 career mark vs. the Reds. Homer Bailey is 6-10, but has pitched better than that with a 3.55 ERA on the season, but he did struggle against this A's team earlier in the season, allowing 4 runs in six innings of work. The A's are now 22-4 in Colon's last 26 starts if he is off a quality start in his last appearance. The Reds are just 18-40 in Bailey's last 58 starts vs. a team with a winning record. Play on Oakland in this one.