Monday MLB preview: A's at Astros, Orioles at Diamondbacks

Oakland Athletics (57-43) at Houston Astros (64-37), 8:10 p.m. ET

Homer Bailey (8-6, 4.69 ERA) (OAK) +200 / +1.5 runs (EVEN) / Over 9 runs (EVEN) Gerrit Cole (10-5, 3.12 ERA) (HOU) -225 / -1.5 runs (-120) / Under 9 runs (-120)

MLB free play: Astros runline

Homer Bailey will be hard-pressed to replicate his first start with the A's (six innings, two earned runs, seven hits) against the Astros at Minute Maid Park on Monday night. Having Gerrit Cole on the hill will only make it easier for Houston to secure the victory.

Bailey owns a 5.60 ERA in eight starts on the road this season, all with the Royals. His strikeout/walk ratio in away games is 1.77, compared to his 2.75 mark at home. Astros second baseman Jose Altuve and left fielder Michael Brantley are a combined 8-for-25 (.320) off Bailey all-time.

Cole is 5-0 with a 2.02 ERA since June 2 (nine starts), and he kicked off this hot streak with a quality start against the A's (six innings, two earned runs). The UCLA product is allowing the opposition to bat a mere .197 at Minute Maid Park this year. Oakland designated hitter Khris Davis and third baseman Matt Chapman are just 9-for-42 (.214) combined off Cole in their careers.

Baltimore Orioles (31-67) at Arizona Diamondbacks (50-50), 9:40 p.m. ET

Aaron Brooks (2-3, 4.69 ERA) (BAL) +220 / +1.5 runs (EVEN) / Over 9 runs (EVEN) Robbie Ray (8-6, 3.92 ERA) (ARZ) -250 / -1.5 runs (-120) / Under 9 runs (-120)

MLB free play: Diamondbacks runline

Red-hot Robbie Ray will take the hill for the Diamondbacks against the moribund Orioles on Monday night. Runline bettors shouldn't hesitate to back Arizona in this one.

Ray has caught the eye of potential trade-deadline suitors, with his 3-0 record and 2.95 ERA in July. His home splits are strong, as he owns a 3.45 ERA in eight starts at Chase Field, with a .199 batting average against. Ray has surrendered the most walks of any National League pitcher this season, but he has struck out the third-most hitters in the league. Baltimore's beleaguered bats are 26th in walks drawn this year and 20th in the strikeout department.

Orioles starter Aaron Brooks has been more effective in relief than as a starter for Oakland and Baltimore this season. If the O's opt to use him as an "opener," they'll have to lean heavily on their 29th-ranked bullpen by ERA. Expect center fielder Ketel Marte (.414 average in his last 30 games) to assist in Arizona's offense attack.