posted May 29, 2008 at 12:45 in MLB Betting Trends
MLB Baseball Betting Action – Hot Teams Meet as A’s Host Jays
by Eric Williams
After splitting the first two games of their three-game sports betting series, the Toronto Blue Jays, (29-26, 26-29 RL) and Oakland Athletics, (29-24, 32-21 RL) enter tonight’s baseball wagering series finale looking to continue their recent winning ways.
The Blue Jays picked up their sixth win in their last seven games, including a five-game winning streak on Wednesday, beating the A’s 2-1 just one night after falling to the AL counterparts 3-1.
The A’s, had their five game winning streak snapped with Wednesday’s loss but will look to bounce back tonight by turning to impressive young left-hander Dana Eveland (4-3, 2.90) who is coming off the first complete game of his young career as he limited the Tampa Bay Rays to one run on three hits and five strikeouts, while tossing just 95 pitches.
"I finally have fulfilled as deep as I can possibly go in a game," the 24-year-old Eveland told the A's official Web site. "I definitely wanted a shutout, but I'll take this."
Toronto will counter with its own impressive young hurler in Jesse Litsch, (6-1, 3.57 ERA) who is also coming off the first complete game of his career as he shut out the Kansas City Royals while spreading seven hits over nine innings in Saturday's 6-0 win..
Litsch is also one of the hottest pitchers in the American League, having won his last four decisions while recording a stellar 2.31 ERA.
"I try to pound the zone every time I go out there," Litsch said. "The key to my game is pounding the zone, making contact and using my defense."
Veteran A’s designated hitter Frank Thomas will likely land on the disabled list by Thursday after injuring his knee.
"The MRI looks pretty bad," Thomas said. "When you're messing with a tendon that big with my age, it could rupture and that would take a long time."
Here is a look at tonight’s sports betting key trends followed by my MLB Betting Picks.
The Blue Jays are 5-0 in Litsch’s last five starts during game two of a series.
The Blue Jays are 7-1 in Litsch’s last eight starts as an underdog.
The Athletics are 4-0 in Eveland’s last four home starts.
The Athletics are 4-0 in Eveland’s last four home starts with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Under is 5-2-1 in Litsch’s last eight starts as a road underdog of +110 to +150.
The Under is 8-1-1 in Eveland’s last ten starts overall.
The Over is 6-2-1 in the last nine meetings in Oakland.
The Blue Jays are 0-5 in the last five meetings.
Analysis: While A’s starter Dana Eveland is throwing the ball very well at the moment and clearly has a bright future in front of him, I’m going with the Blue Jays and their impressive starter Jess Litsch.
MLB Free Picks: Blue Jays 3 A’s 2
03:35 PM EST MLB Odds
Jesse Litsch - R +1½ -195
Dana Eveland - L -1½ +165
Over 8 EV
Under 8 -120
American League
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