The Oakland A's appear to be desperate because they need to gain a little confidence here as their manager ripped the entire team on Sunday after they were swept by the Angels. While Oakland has the first Wild Card spot locked up - they want the division they have owned for much of the season.

Oakland lost four straight to to Anaheim to drop five games behind the Angels for the division lead. Not only that, but the A's have struggled to manufacture runs, averaging barely over a run per game over the last week.

They'll send out Jason Hammel, who is only 9-10 on the season but does own a 3.72 ERA. He's been very good in three of his last four starts and held Houston to one run on three hits over seven innings Tuesday in a blowout win. He was skipped in the rotation for his last start which gives him a full eight days of rest and ready to go on Monday afternoon.

Expect Oakland to jump on Chris Young early and often today as he is very hitable.
PLAY THE A's here as our Monday BEST BET.