MLB Odds and Picks
By: Micah Roberts
Sportingnews.com
LAS VEGAS - With the Seattle Mariners losing their past five games virtually to end almost any chance they had of passing either Kansas City or Oakland for the final wild-card birth, the A’s can rest a little bit easier as they begin a four-game series at last place Texas tonight.
It’s been a rough time for Oakland as they’ve gone 14-28 since having a four-game lead in the AL West on Aug. 9, and while Texas should be a team the A’s can use as a slump-buster, it’s been Texas that has turned things around by winning 11 of its last 12 games, including a sweep over the A’s in Oakland last week. In that series, Oakland was outscored 19-6.
The A’s put Jason Hammel (2-6, 4.52 ERA) on the mound tonight against Colby Lewis (10-14, 5.34). Hammel, the weak link of the A’s rotation, is a -145 favorite. He last pitched on Sept. 18 against Texas, but it was in relief where he tossed three scoreless innings of an eventual 7-2 loss. Since coming over from the Cubs, the A’s have gone 2-9 behind him as a starter -- definitely not the boost GM Billy Beane envisioned before making the trade.
Lewis is no bargain, either. He got rocked in Anaheim for seven earned runs in his last outing -- the Rangers' only loss in almost two weeks. However, in his last two home starts, he's been very good. He allowed only one run in seven innings to the Braves on Sept. 14 and just two earned runs to the Angels on Sept. 9.
Between the Rangers playing extremely well and the A’s going through the motions of just hoping to back into the playoffs with another Seattle loss, this looks like a good spot to back the underdog that is playing like the better team right now.
Thursday selections:
Rangers (Lewis) +135 vs. A’s
Royals (Shields) -140 at White Sox
Pirates (Volquez) -130 at Braves