The set-up: Despite there being no fans in the stands, I don't think that the home field advantage can be overlooked as a very real deciding factor in this particular matchup. Framber Valdez (0-1, 2.53 ERA) gets the nod for the visitors and after getting rocked for three runs over four innings in a loss to the Dodgers, Valdez bounced back in his last start to allow one run over six innings of relief vs. the Angels in his last outing. He was an unremarkable 4-7 with a 5.69 ERA last year, including just 1-6 with a ballooned 7.76 ERA in all "night" games.

The pick: Frankie Montas (1-1, 2.25) counters for the home side and he most recently comes off a commanding 11-1 win over the Mariners, allowing one run off four hits with nine K's over seven innings. Montas was 9-2 with a 2.63 ERA last year overall and he was particularly tough in all "day" games, going 3-0 with a 1.50 ERA. All things considered, I think this is the very definition of "great line value." Lay it.

This is a 10* COACH'S CORNER on the Oakland A's.