Posted on
5/14/2008 2:39:00 PM
MLB Baseball Betting Free Picks – Athletics vs. Indians
By Eric Williams
Will the real C.C. Sabathia please stand up?
The Cleveland Indians, (20-19, 19-20 RL) pleasantly watched crafty left-hander C.C. Sabathia, (2-5, 6.55 ERA) win last season’s American League Cy Young award but have wondered for the majority of this sports betting season, where their dominating hurler has gone after watching Sabathia struggle in the early going of the 2008 regular baseball betting season.
Despite his personal struggles on the mound this season, the Indians have gotten some downright spectacular starting pitching recently as no starter has allowed a single earned run in 34 innings, a streak started by Sabathia himself in his last outing when he shut down the Oakland A’s last Thursday, limiting them to one run on six hits with nine strikeouts in seven innings.
"It's a friendly competition, (between the starters). (They) try to keep one-upping one another," Indians manager Eric Wedge said. "... All we ask is to give us a chance to win, but they're going above the call of duty."
The Oakland Athletics, (23-17, 23-17 RL) come into tonight’s online betting contest off Tuesday’s 4-0 loss to the Indians, the team’s third loss in their last four games in the BetUS Sportsbook, all after a solid four-game winning streak last week.
Oakland will hand the ball to Opening Day starter, veteran right-hander Joe Blanton, (2-5, 3.82). While the A’s lead the AL in team ERA, (3.32), Blanton has not been a big part of their success as he has the worst ERA among Oakland’s five starters.
Sabathia on the other hand, is finally starting to throw like the dominating pitcher he can be, lasting at least six innings in each of his last four outings.
"He's pitching with confidence," Wedge told his team's official Web site. "He's throwing the ball where he wants to throw it and making adjustments when he needs to."
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends, followed by my analysis and MLB Betting Picks.
The Athletics are 6-2 in Blanton’s last eight starts vs. a team with a winning record.
The Athletics are 3-7 in Blanton’s last ten starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Indians are 4-1 in Sabathia’s last five starts when their opponent scores two runs or less in their previous game.
The Indians are 6-2 in Sabathia’s last eight starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
The Under is 8-3-1 in Blanton’s last 12 starts during game two of a series.
The Under is 9-2 in Sabathia’s last eleven starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
The Athletics are 2-5 in Blanton’s last seven starts vs. Indians.
The Indians are 1-8 in Sabathia’s last nine starts vs. Athletics.
Analysis: Oakland starter Joe Blanton has looked horrific all season long while Cleveland’s Sabathia is starting to round into midseason form. Take the Indians to roll to victory by pounding Blanton and getting a fine performance from ‘C.C. Rider.’
MLB Free Picks: Indians 5 A’s 2
07:05 PM EST MLB Odds
Oakland Athletics
Joe Blanton - R +1½ -145
Cleveland Indians
C.C. Sabathia - L -1½ +125
Over 8 EV
Under 8 -120
American League
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