Posted on 4/16/2008 4:54:21 PM

MLB Betting Trends – Seattle Mariners at Oakland A’s

By Eric Williams

Despite being relegated to the status of the team’s No.2 pitcher after the arrival of for Baltimore Orioles staff ace Erik Bedard, Seattle Mariners, (7-8, 8-7 O/U) young star Felix Hernandez (1-0, 1.66 ERA) undoubtedly has the stuff to be almost any team’s No.1 starter and will be expected to lead the Mariners with Bedard going on the 15-day disabled list with a left hip problem. This is something everyone in the online sports betting community should take note of.

Hernandez went a solid 14-7 with a 3.92 ERA in 30 starts last season and is coming off a solid performance in his last outing as he limited the Los Angeles Angels to four runs on nine hits while striking out seven in 6 2/3 innings of Friday's 8-5 home win.

The Oakland A’s, (9-6, 5-9-1 O/U) return home after getting beaten by the Chicago White Sox 4-1 on Tuesday but went a respectable 6-2 on their recent eight-game road trip and feel good about the way they are playing at the moment.

"We played great," A’s shortstop Bobby Crosby told the team’s official Web site. "We played three really good teams (Toronto, Cleveland and Chicago) and came out 6-2. That's pretty quality."

The A’s are hoping for a better performance from starter Joe Blanton (1-2, 4.15) who was touched up for five runs on eight hits in 7 2/3 innings against the Cleveland Indians last Friday. Fortunately, the A’s managed to win the game 9-7 despite Blanton’s mediocre performance.

Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my analysis and MLB Betting Picks.

The Mariners are 5-1 in Hernandez’s last 6 road starts.

The Mariners are 5-1 in Hernandez’s last 6 starts with 4 days of rest.

The Athletics are 4-0 in Blanton’s last 4 starts vs. American League West.

The Athletics are 4-1 in Blanton’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.

The Under is 5-1 in Mariners last 6 road games vs. a team with a losing home record.

The Under is 5-1 in Athletics last 6 home games.

The Mariners are 6-0 in the last 6 meetings in Oakland.

The Mariners are 4-0 in the last 4 meetings.

The Mariners are 4-0 in Hernandez’s last 4 starts vs. Athletics.

Analysis: While I like Joe Blanton and certainly think he is a quality pitcher, I don’t think he’s quite in the same class as Seattle’s ‘King Felix’. Take the Mariners gifted right-hander to quiet Oakland’s bats en route to victory.

MLB Free Picks: Seattle 4 Oakland 2

10:05 PM EST MLB Odds

Seattle Mariners

Felix Hernandez - R +1½ -200

Oakland Athletics

Joe Blanton - R -1½ +170

Over 8 -105

Under 8 -115

American League

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