2014 MLB Playoffs: A’s vs. Royals AL Wild Card Game Picks & Predictions
By ATSSportsline.com
KANSAS CITY, MO (ATS Consultants) – Oakland GM Billy Beane acquired Jon Lester at the trade deadline this year to pitch in big postseason games. Will Lester prove that Beane’s investment was worthwhile when he and the A's faces the Royals tonight?
ODDS: According to oddsmakers from online sports book BetDSI, both the A’s and Royals are listed with -104 odds on the money line for tonight’s American League Wild Card playoff game. The total for the 8:00PM ET start time is currently sitting at 6.5 runs.
LINE MOVEMENT: The A’s opened as +102 money line underdogs but their odds have flipped and now they’re -104, while the Royals’ odds have gone from -110 down to -104. The total, meanwhile, opened at 6.5 and that’s where it currently sits at most online and Vegas sports books.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Lester will take the hill for Oakland sporting a 16-11 record and a 2.46 ERA, while the Royals will counter with James Shields, who is 14-8 with a 3.21 ERA on the year. Oakland is 88-74 on the year and 40-41 on the road, while Kansas City is 89-73 overall and 42-39 at home.
MLB FREE PICK: Take Oakland. According to latest MLB trends, the A’s are 5-2 in their last seven road games with the total set at 6.5 or lower and 4-0 in Lester’s last four starts versus American League Central opponents. The Royals, meanwhile, are 4-9 in their last 13 games as a home underdog, 3-8 in their last 11 games following a win and 1-6 in their last seven home games versus a team with a winning record. They’re also just 3-7 in Shield’s last 10 home starts, 3-7 in his last 10 starts as a home favorite and 1-5 in his last six starts when their opponent allows two runs or less in their previous game.
MLB FREE PICK: OAKLAND A’S -104