Posted on
4/10/2008 4:39:54 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Action – Oakland A’s at Toronto Blue Jays
By Eric Williams
The Toronto Blue Jays, (4-4) have dropped two consecutive games to the Oakland A’s, (5-4) coming into this matchup, including a 6-3 loss on Wednesday and look to avoid a three-games sweep as they send hurler Shaun Marcum to the mound tonight. The sports betting community have a lot to consider in this match-up.
Marcum, (1-0, 3.86) is coming off a solid performance in his first start of the season, limiting the Boston Red Sox to three runs on three hits in seven innings on Friday, striking out eight in a 6-3 victory.
"He threw an outstanding change-up, missed a lot of bats with it and commanded both sides of the plate," Red Sox manager Terry Francona said following that contest. "He tied us in knots."
The A's will counter with left-handed starter Dana Eveland, (1-0, 1.29 ERA) who recorded his first career win as a starter last week, striking out a career high seven batters while walking just one in seven innings.
"He showed everything you would really want," Geren said. "He showed the velocity, the breaking ball and the ability to pitch behind in the count. That's a good sign."
Oakland (5-4) has won four of its last five, including a pair of ninth-inning wins over the Blue Jays as closer Jeremy Accardo took the loss in each game.
"You're not going to do that a lot, beat closers," A's manager Bob Geren said. "When you do, it's special. We're very happy with the outcome tonight."
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks:
Key Athletics Trends
The Athletics are 6-1 in their last seven games on field turf.
The Athletics are 4-1 in their last five Thursday games.
The Athletics are 4-1 in their last five overall.
Key Blue Jays Trends
The Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last four vs. a team with a winning record.
The Blue Jays are 4-0 in their last four games as a home favorite of -110 to -150.
The Blue Jays are 4-1 in their last five games vs. a left-handed starter.
Key Totals Trends
The Under is 6-0-2 in Athletics last eight when their opponent allows five runs or more in their previous game.
The Under is 4-0-1 in Athletics last five games following a win.
The Under is 7-0-1 in Athletics last eight after scoring five runs or more in their previous game.
The Over is 4-0-2 in Blue Jays last six home games.
The Over is 4-0-2 in Blue Jays last six on field turf.
The Over is 5-1-1 in Blue Jays last seven vs. American League West.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Athletics are 6-0 in the last six meetings in Toronto.
The Over is 6-1-2 in the last nine meetings.
The Athletics are 6-2 in the last eight meetings.
Analysis: While Oakland may have found another gem in Eveland, Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum is certainly no slouch. Take the Jays to snap their modest losing streak with a big win tonight.
MLB Free Picks: Blue Jays 4 A’s 3
07:05 PM EST MLB Odds
Oakland Athletics
Dana Eveland - L +1½ -155
Toronto Blue Jays
Shaun Marcum - R -1½ +135
Over 9 +105
Under 9 -125
American League
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