On paper, a pitching matchup of CC Sabathia versus Kendall Graveman doesn't inspire confidence for an under. But there is more than meets the numbers here with these two starters.



Sabathia is off his worst performance of the year going just 2 1/3 innings this past Saturday in a 15-4 loss to Texas. The prideful veteran will look to bounce back strong. Sabathia has pitched better than his record. He has a respectable 3.48 road ERA in six away starts and a 3.22 ERA versus the A's since joining the Yankees in 2009.



The under has cashed in five of Sabathia's last six road outings. The hefty lefty is backed by one of the best bullpens in baseball. The A's have an OPS of just .576 against southpaws.



O.co Coliseum is a pitcher's park and the A's are averaging only 2.7 runs during their last dozen games.



Graveman pitched terrible early in the season, but looks straightened out after giving up three hits with six strikeouts in six scoreless innings during his last start, a 5-0 win against the Rays this past Saturday. The Yankees have the disadvantage of never having faced Graveman.



Graveman and the A's also have the advantage of being more rested as the Yankees had to fly cross-country after winning at home on Wednesday. So this isn't a good spot for the Yankee hitters.