Posted on
5/16/2008 2:58:17 PM
MLB Interleague Betting Action – Oakland A’s at Atlanta Braves
By Eric Williams
The Oakland Athletics, (23-19, 23-19 RL) coming into tonight’s contest having lost three consecutive sports betting contests after getting emphatically swept by the red-hot Cleveland Indians but have still managed to win five of their last ten online betting games in the BetUS Sportsbook.
The Atlanta Braves, (20-20, 24-16 RL) split their four-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies but have dropped five of their last seven games.
The Braves however, have the best home record in all of baseball and are back on their home field for this matchup after losing to Philadelphia 5-0 on Thursday, getting just four hits against the all-star left-hander.
The A's (23-19) are also looking to bounce back from a loss after falling to the Indians three straight times, including consecutive shutouts in the series’ first two games.
"We've run into some pitching," manager Bob Geren said. "We've played good defense and pitched very well. We just haven't scored any runs."
Oakland will hand the ball to impressive left-hander Dana Eveland (3-3, 3.23 ERA) who picked up a loss in his last outing, despite limiting the Texas Rangers to three runs in six innings of Saturday’s 6-4 loss.
Atlanta will match Eveland by giving the ball to right-hander Jair Jurrjens (4-3, 3.10), who is pitching on four day’s rest after throwing just 69 pitches in his last start and getting charged with a loss after allowing three runs in five innings of Monday’s 5-0 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"I think I did a pretty good job," Jurrjens told the Braves' site. "They didn't hit me so hard. Sometimes, you don't have luck on your side."
Jurrjens, in his first full major league season, is making his first start in interleague play.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks.
The Athletics are 9-4 in their last 13 road games vs. a right-handed starter.
The Athletics are 9-4 in their last 13 vs. a team with a winning record.
The Braves are 5-0 in their last five games as a favorite of -151 to -200.
The Braves are 7-1 in their last eight home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Under is 4-0 in Athletics last four during game one of a series.
The Under is 4-0 in Braves last four home games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Under is 7-0-1 in Eveland’s last eight starts overall.
The Under is 6-0 in Braves last six games vs. a left-handed starter.
Analysis: While I really like the direction that the A’s franchise is moving in the Braves are the correct pick to win this matchup and improve on their stellar home record.
MLB Free Picks: Braves 4 A’s 3
07:35 PM EST MLB Odds
Oakland Athletics
Dana Eveland - L +1½ -150
Atlanta Braves
Jair Jurrjens - R -1½ +130
Over 8½ -120
Under 8½ EV
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