posted July 9, 2008 at 18:30 in MLB Free Picks

After spanking the Seattle Mariners, (35-55, 39-47-3 O/U, 40-49 RL) twice in the opening two games, including a solid 2-0 win on Tuesday night, the Oakland Athletics, (49-41, 33-50-7 O/U, 49-41 RL) enter tonight’s online betting contest looking to win their third straight game in the BetUS Sportsbook over the struggling Mariners for the BetUS MLB online sports wagering community.

Despite trading stellar starting pitcher Rich Harden to the Chicago Cubs on Tuesday for right-hander Sean Gallagher and other players, the A’s say they plan on continuing to win.

"I'm excited about it," Athletics manager Bob Geren said.

Second baseman Mark Ellis agreed with Geren’s assessment.

"We're still trying to make the playoffs," Ellis told the team's official Web site. "We had a good team before this, and I still think we have a good team."

The A’s will hand the ball to struggling right-hander Joe Blanton (5-11, 4.76), who will be looking to avoid becoming the first 12-game loser in the American League in this outing.

Blanton will have a good opportunity to pick up a win against the lowly Mariners and is coming off a spectacular start in which he limited the Chicago White Sox to one run in seven innings in the A’s 7-1 victory on Friday.

"Now I just have to put a couple in a row together and keep things rolling," Blanton said.

Seattle will counter with veteran right-hander Miguel Batista (4-10, 6.27) who has been rocked in three straight road starts while posting a high, 10.80 ERA.

Batista was smacked around fro eight runs on June 25 in an 8-2 loss to the New York Mets in his last start.

Here is a look at tonight’s key online sports wagering trends followed by my analysis and MLB online betting Free Picks.

The Mariners are 5-2 in Batista’s last seven starts vs. American League West.

The Mariners are 2-5 in Batista’s last seven road starts vs. a team with a winning record.

The Athletics are 5-1 in Blanton’s last six starts as a favorite of -151 to -200.

The Athletics are 5-1 in Blanton’s last six starts as a home favorite of -151 to -200.

The Under is 8-0 in Batista’s last eight starts as a road underdog of +110 to +150.

The Over is 4-0 in Blanton’s last four starts as a favorite.

The Mariners are 8-1 in the last nine meetings in Oakland.

The Under is 4-1-1 in the last six meetings.

Analysis: BetUS MLB Bettors have an easy selection on their hands with tonight’s selection as the Oakland A’s should roll to an easy victory over the struggling Mariners and downright atrocious Miguel Batista. Take the A’s to roll and cover the Run Line easily.

MLB Free Picks: A’s 6 Mariners 2

10:05 PM EST MLB Odds

Seattle Mariners

Miguel Batista - R +1½ -150

Oakland Athletics

Joe Blanton - R -1½ +130

Over 8½ -120

Under 8½ EV

American League

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