SPORTS ADVISORS
NBA
Boston (50-30, 33-45-2 ATS) at Chicago (39-41, 40-38-2 ATS)
The Bulls look to take another step closer to securing a second straight playoff berth and fifth in the last six years when they host the Celtics at the United Center.
Chicago entered Sunday’s game in Toronto tied with the Raptors for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but departed Canada with a one-game lead in the standings after crushing the Raptors 104-88 as a 2½-point road favorite. Then with the Bulls taking Monday off, the Raptors went to Detroit and pounded the Pistons 111-97 to pull within a half-game of Chicago. Both teams finish the season Wednesday, with the Bulls playing at Charlotte and the Raptors hosting New York, and if they finish with the same record, Toronto would get the playoff nod based on winning the season series.
The Bulls have alternated SU wins and losses in their last five games, but they’re 8-4 in their last 12 following an ill-timed 10-game losing streak. Also, they snapped a three-game ATS slide with Sunday’s blowout win in Toronto. Chicago has also alternated SU wins and losses in its last eight home games, but is still just 4-8 SU and ATS in its last 12 at the United Center.
Boston is coming off Saturday’s big 105-90 trouncing of the Bucks, easily covering as a two-point road underdog just 24 hours after getting humiliated at home by the lowly Wizards (106-96 loss). The Celtics, who won in Milwaukee without All-Star Kevin Garnett (rest), are just 3-5 SU in their last eight games and 3-6 ATS in the last nine, and they’re locked in a battle with Atlanta for the No. 3 seed in the Eastern Conference, trailing the Hawks by 1½ games.
Boston now sports a better record on the road (26-14) than at home (24-16), and the C’s have been miles better covering pointspreads on the highway (21-18-1 ATS) than in Beantown (12-27-1 ATS).
These teams played a thrilling opening-round series in last year’s playoffs, with the top-seeded Celtics barely holding off No. 8 seed Chicago in seven games (3-3-1 ATS). Boston then took the first two meetings this year (118-90 as an 11½-point home favorite; 106-80 as a 9½-point road chalk), but the Bulls scored their own double-digit rout in the most recent battle on Jan. 14 (96-83 as a 6½-point road underdog).
Since the start of last year’s playoff series, the visitor is 7-2-1 ATS in the 10 head-to-head matchups and Boston is 3-0-1 ATS in its last four trips to the Windy City. Also, the underdog is 7-3-1 ATS in the last 11.
Boston has cashed in five of seven against the Eastern Conference and is 5-1-1 ATS in its last seven versus the Central Division, but it is also 1-5-1 ATS in its last seven Tuesday contests, 0-5 in its last five after SU win and 0-4 ATS in its last four after a spread-cover. Meanwhile, Chicago has covered in six of seven against the Atlantic Division and 22 of 31 after an ATS triumph.
Chicago is on “under” runs of 9-4 overall, 6-2 at home, 8-3 against the Eastern Conference, 5-2 after a day off and 36-15 following a double-digit victory. However, the Celtics carry “over” trends of 6-1 overall, 4-1 against the Eastern Conference, 5-0 versus Central Division competition and 20-8-1 when playing on two days’ rest, though the under is 10-3 in their last 13 after a SU win and 5-2 in their last seven on Tuesday.
Finally, these teams have topped the total in nine of the past 12 meetings overall, but seven of the last 10 at the United Center have stayed low.
ATS ADVANTAGE: NONE
Denver (53-28, 35-40-6 ATS) at Phoenix (52-28, 46-33-1 ATS)
Two of the four squads locked in a dogfight in the Western Conference playoff standings duke it out in the desert as the Nuggets visit the Suns at U.S. Airways Arena.
Denver moved a half-game ahead of Utah and Phoenix into the No. 3 spot with Monday’s 123-101 victory over Memphis, easily cashing as an 11-point home favorite. But with the Mavericks winning easily at the Clippers on Monday, Dallas still holds a one-game advantage over the Nuggets for the coveted No. 2 seed in the West. Utah (which plays at Golden State tonight) and Phoenix are tied for fourth in the playoff pecking order, a half-game behind the Nuggets and 1½ games back of the Mavs.
With Monday’s win over the Grizzlies, Denver improved to 6-1 SU and 5-2 ATS in its last seven games, which comes on the heels of a 1-5 and 0-8-1 ATS slump. The normally high scoring Nuggets had been held under triple digits in four straight games, eight of nine and 11 of 13 prior to Monday’s outburst. Also, Denver has lost five of its last seven on the highway (1-5-1 ATS), averaging just 96.8 ppg in the last five.
Phoenix is coming off Sunday’s 116-106 win over Houston, barely cashing as a nine-point home favorite despite trailing by a point with less than three minutes to play. The Suns are scorching hot right now, going 26-7 SU and 23-9-1 ATS since Jan. 28, including 12-2 in the last 14 (9-4-1 ATS). They’ve also won seven straight home games (6-0-1 ATS, all as a favorite). For the season, Phoenix is 31-9 SU and 24-15-1 ATS at U.S. Airways Center.
Denver took the first meeting this season 105-99, but failed to cover as a nine-point underdog. Since then, the Suns have ripped off back-to-back blowout wins over the Nuggets, rolling 109-97 as a 5½-point road ‘dog on Feb. 3 and 101-85 as a 2½-point home chalk on March 1.
The host has dominated this rivalry, winning 10 of the last 11 meetings and cashing in 11 of the last 14. Phoenix has gotten the money in all three matchups this year and is 6-1 ATS in the last seven series clashes in the desert. Also, the favorite has covered the number eight times in the last 11 battles.
The Nuggets are 5-1-3 ATS in their last nine games as an underdog of five to 10½ points, but otherwise they’re in ATS funks of 4-10-1 overall, 1-5-1 on the road, 1-3-2 overall as a ‘dog (all on the road), 2-7-1 when playing on back-to-back nights and 1-4 on Tuesday. Conversely, Phoenix is on pointspread tears of 23-9-1 overall, 6-0-1 at home, 12-3-1 as a home chalk, 8-0-1 when laying five to 10½ points at home, 17-5-1 as a favorite regardless of venue, 15-5-1 when coming back from a day off and 17-7-1 versus Western Conference foes.
It’s been all “unders” for the Nuggets recently, including 4-1 overall, 4-0 on the road, 4-1 against the Western Conference, 4-0 versus the Pacific Division, 37-16 as an underdog and 35-17 as a road pup. Phoenix is also on “under” streaks of 3-1-1 overall, 4-0 against winning teams, 5-2 versus the Western Conference, 4-0 against the Northwest Division and 5-1 when playing after a day off.
Finally, these teams have stayed low in four straight meetings following a 5-1 “over” surge in the rivalry.
ATS ADVANTAGE: PHOENIX and UNDER
NATIONAL LEAGUE
Cincinnati (4-3) at Florida (4-3)
Bronson Arroyo (0-0, 1.12 ERA) goes after his 14th consecutive quality start when he takes the mound for the surging Reds against lefty Nate Robertson (1-0, 1.80) and the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium.
Cincinnati dropped its first two games of the season to the Cardinals, but has come back to win four of the last five, including Monday’s 6-5, 10-inning win. The Reds blew a 5-4, seventh-inning lead, then got out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the ninth. Dating to last season, Dusty Baker’s club is on positive runs of 14-6 overall, 6-1 on the highway, 5-1 on Tuesday, 6-2 against the N.L. West, 11-4 as an underdog and 5-1 versus left-handed starters, though the Reds have dropped seven of their last eight road games against southpaws.
Florida had a modest two-game win streak halted Monday, but it is still 4-2 in its last six. The Marlins are also on surges of 6-2 against right-handed starters, 11-0 in the second game of a series and 29-15 as a home favorite.
These teams split their six-game season series in 2009, but the Reds are now 13-5 in the last 18 meetings. Also, going back to 2007, the home team is on a 15-6 roll in this rivalry.
Arroyo was sharp in his season debut Thursday, holding the Cardinals to one run on four hits in eight innings, walking three and striking out eight. Although he failed to get a decision, Cincinnati prevailed 2-1 with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the ninth. With Arroyo on the hill, the Reds are on runs of 4-1 overall and 6-2 against the N.L. West.
Going back to the beginning of August 2009, Arroyo has delivered 13 straight quality starts, pitching at least seven innings and allowing three earned runs or fewer in all 13 games. He’s 5-3 with a 1.84 ERA during this stretch (20 runs allowed in 97 2/3 innings, including 2-1 with a 1.60 ERA in five road stats, going exactly seven innings in all five of those contests. Finally, Arroyo is 0-2 with a 3.75 ERA in eight career appearances (five starts) against Florida. Cincy lost four of those five starts, including a 3-2 home decision last September, with Arroyo giving up three runs in eight innings.
Robertson’s debut with Florida was a success, as he gave up a run on eight hits with no walks and four strikeouts in five innings at the Mets, picking up a 3-1 victory Thursday. It was the first time Robertson pitched for a team other than the Tigers since making six appearances with Florida in 2002. In two career outings in Miami, Robertson has allowed four runs in 1 1/3 innings. Also, his only career start against the Reds came in 2006, when he pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings in leading the Tigers to a 1-0 home victory.
As a team, the Reds have topped the total in seven of their last nine road games dating to last season, and the over is 6-1-2 in their last nine on Tuesday, but the under is 3-1-1 in their last five overall and 19-8-1 in their last 28 on the road against lefty starters. Additionally, with Arroyo pitching, Cincinnati is on “under” runs of 18-6-2 overall (8-0 last eight), 4-1-1 on the road, 6-0 after he gets four days of rest, 7-0 against winning teams, 5-2 versus the N.L. East and 5-0 in the second game of a series.
On the flip side, Florida carries “over” trends of 7-1 overall, 23-7 at Sun Life Stadium, 10-1-1 against right-handed starters and 37-16-3 at home versus righty starters, though the under is 5-1-1 in the Marlins’ last seven against the N.L. Central.
Finally, the under is 5-1-1 in the last seven Reds-Marlins battles, but the over has hit in nine of the last 11 meetings in South Beach. Also, three of Arroyo’s last four starts against the Marlins have topped the total (2-0 “over” in Florida).
ATS ADVANTAGE: CINCINNATI
AMERICAN LEAGUE
Chicago White Sox (3-4) at Toronto (5-2)
The surprising Blue Jays send young lefty Ricky Romero (0-0, 1.29) to the mound at the Rogers Centre as they continue a four-game series against the White Sox, who will hand the ball to Gavin Floyd (0-0, 3.00).
Chicago snapped a four-game losing skid with Sunday’s 5-4 home victory over the Twins, then went north of the border to open this series Monday and rallied for an 8-7, 11-inning win. Prior to Monday, the White Sox had lost five straight to the Blue Jays and 10 in a row in Canada, and they’re still just 3-14 in the last 17 meetings overall and 2-13 in the last 15 clashes in Toronto. Additionally, Chicago is in slumps of 1-5 on Tuesday, 1-5 in the second game of a series and 8-19 as a road underdog.
Toronto dropped its first game of the season in Texas, blowing a 4-3 bottom-of-the-ninth-inning lead and falling 5-4, then ripped off five straight road wins before stumbling in last night’s home-opener. Still, the Jays are on positive runs of 8-1 at home, 7-1 as a favorite, 4-1 against right-handed starters and 4-0 on Tuesday.
Floyd held the Indians to two runs on five hits in six innings Thursday, but it wasn’t enough as the White Sox fell 5-3 at home. Other than a 5-1 run on Tuesday, the ChiSox have struggled lately with Floyd on the mound, going 1-6 in his last seven starts overall and 0-4 in his last four on the road (all as an underdog). Last year, Floyd was 5-8 with a 5.47 ERA in 17 starts on the road, compared to 6-3 with a 2.47 ERA in 13 home outings.
Floyd is 9-3 with a 7.64 ERA in four appearances (three starts) against the Blue Jays, giving up 15 earned runs in 17 2/3 innings. Two of those starts came last year, and he lost 14-0 at home and 8-2 on the road, allowing a total of 12 runs (11 earned) in 9 1/3 innings.
Romero was outstanding in his first start on Thursday, holding the Rangers to a run on five hits in seven innings, but he didn’t get a decision even though Toronto eventually prevailed 3-1 on the road. However, going back to his rookie season last year, the Jays are still just 4-9 in Romero’s last 13 trips to the mound (2-4 at home). He went 8-4 with a 4.41 ERA in 14 home starts last year, and he’s never faced the White Sox.
It’s been all “unders” for the White Sox lately, including 34-16-2 overall, 34-16-2 on the road, 19-6-1 as a road underdog, 10-5 versus the A.L. East, 7-0 with Floyd on the mound, 6-0 with Floyd as an underdog and 5-0 when Floyd faces A.L. East squads. Meanwhile, Toronto is on “over” stretches of 6-1-1 at home, 6-1-1 as a favorite, 5-0 against the A.L. East, 15-6-2 against right-handed starters and 3-0-1 on Tuesday.
Lastly, Monday’s series opener easily cleared the posted total, and the over has cashed in eight of the last 11 in this rivalry, though the under is still 7-3 in the last 10 meetings at the Rogers Centre.
ATS ADVANTAGE: TORONTO
Marc Lawrence
Chicago White Sox at Toronto Blue Jays
Prediction: Toronto Blue Jays
When the Blue Jays take on Gavin Floyd and the Pale Hose in Toronto Tuesday evening they will do so knowing Floyd is winless with an 8.13 ERA in his three career team starts in this series. With Chicago an abysmal 1-12 in its last 13 games in this park entering this series, look for more of the same here tonight.
MTi Sports
Cincinnati Reds at Florida Marlins
Prediction: Cincinnati Reds
Bronson Arroyo went eight innings against the Cardinals, but left with the game tied at one. The Reds won it 2-1 with a run in the bottom of the ninth, leaving Arroyo with a no-decision. We like the Reds to support him better here. Cincinnati is 5-0 when Bronson Arroyo starts on the road when his team scored a total of fewer than three runs in his last start.
The last time that Arroyo started against Florida, he went eight innings and allowed three runs, but took a 3-2 loss. This is also a positive indicator, as the Reds were 5-0 last season when is Arroyo?s starts when he went at least eight innings in his previous start vs this opponent.
Cincinnati is 6-1 when they are off a win in which they came back from a deficit and it is not the first game of a series. Consider the Reds.
Matt Fargo
New York Mets vs. Colorado Rockies
Play: New York Mets
Both Colorado and New York had an off day on Monday and that benefitted the Mets from a travel standpoint as they got the extra day to adjust to the time change. New York is off to a slow start as it is 2-4, losing both series as it won the opener of both but then dropped the final two games as the offense was to blame in those four defeats, averaging just three runs per game. Away from the city now, New York could use a big run and it will get some good prices facing contenders Colorado and St. Louis in back-to-back series. This is another situation where we are getting the much better pitcher in this matchup at an underdog price and this one is a pretty big underdog. John Maine toes the rubber following a lousy opening start against the Marlins where he was tagged for four runs in five innings no thanks to two long balls, and that is a bit of an aberration. As he has allowed an average of only one home run per 8.8 innings over the last three years. Pitching in Coors Field may not seem like a place for him to get back into the groove but he has been solid there with two quality performances in two starts in Denver. He has a 2.66 ERA in three career starts against the Rockies. He faces off against Greg Smith who did not pitch well as a rookie in Oakland in 2008 and has not started the season well with Colorado. He did not pitch at all in 2009 in the Majors as injuries kept him in AAA all season. In his opening start this season he gave up five runs in five innings against the Brewers and this could be the last shot at keeping his spot in the rotation. He is a fly ball pitcher and that is certainly not a good thing playing in Colorado and that give the Mets a chance to get those bats going. The Mets are 26-9 in Maine’s last 35 starts following a loss in the previous game. 3* New York Mets
Frank Jordan
Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns
Play: Denver Nuggets +6
Denver and Phoenix are separated by a mere half game as they continue to jockey for positioning in the West for the playoffs. Denver is playing their last game of the regular season while Phoenix has one more to play at Utah tomorrow night. That's a tough last two games for the Suns. Look for Denver to lock up the three seed with a big road win over Phoenix in a possible playoff preview. Play Phoenix
Cajun Sports
2* Colorado Rockies -142
The Colorado Rockies host the New York Mets on Tuesday evening. The Rockies will send left-hander Greg Smith to the bump to face Mets right-hander John Maine. A check of the database reveals several key team angles and league-wide systems that are active for this contest and support our selection on the Colorado Rockies. The Mets are 39-51 since August 23, 2007 when they are off a loss in which they never led for a net profit of $1525 when playing against them. MLB teams are 19-36 since October 02, 2009 after a loss in which they allowed 5+ walks for a net profit of $2000 and 24-41 since September 14, 2009 when they are off a loss in which they never led and it is the first game of a series for a net profit of $1740. The Rockies are 56-29 since May 25, 2007 after a win in which they had fewer team-left-on-base than their opponent for a net profit of $2570. The Rockies are 27-8 since May 30, 2009 after a win in which they drew 5+ walks for a net profit of $1715. With solid technical and fundamental support for the Rockies we will lay the chalk with the host as they grab a victory over the Mets on Tuesday evening in the Mile High City.
Jim Feist
Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners
Play: Seattle Mariners +124
After starting on the road last week, the Mariners are home this week. Seattle righty Doug Fister is a control specialist, perfect for this big park in Safeco. In his career he has a 2.25 ERA in 16 innings against the light hitting A's. Oakland has had a nice start, but this is a young team with holes everywhere and they will come back to earth soon. An excellent spot for the home dog. Play the Mariners.
EZWINNERS
Toronto Blue Jays -120
The Blue Jay's starting pitcher Ricky Romero pitched well this spring and went seven strong innings in no decision in his first starts. The White Sox starting pitcher Gavin Floyd pitched well in a no decision of his own in his first start, but he has not fared well against Toronto in his career posting an 0-3 record with an ERA of 7.64. The Blue Jays are off to a hot start 5-1 start while the White Sox are getting off to a slow 2-4 start to the season and they have really struggled when traveling North of the border. After last night's loss the White Sox are now only 1-12 in the last 13 meetings between these two teams in Toronto. Play on the Blue Jays.
JR O'Donnell
COL / NYM Over 10.5
The Mets take the show on the road tonight as there are some major problems in the "NY Met"s camp. John Maine gets roughed up again tonight vs the sweet swinging Colorado Rockies! We note that Maine sports a 7.20 Era after day 1. Looking at G Smith for the Rockies, he got shelled to the tune of 5 runs in his last outing and takes a +9.00 Era into this battle tonight. This a huge gut play for Jr O's camp and we are not sold on J Maine tonight. Let's look for the Colorado Rockies to bust out tonight and the Met's will be the medicine that the Rocks need!
Sac Lawson
BAL (+105) vs TAM
I've been patient, I've steered clear of Baltimore home games thus far this season, but now sitting at 0-4 on the road, I've found a spot that I simply can't pass up. This Baltimore team is one that, historically, really performs well at home, and coincidentally the exact opposite can be said about the Rays on the road.
Niemann is a guy that I'm not too high on in the first place, but add to that the fact that Baltimore as a team bats 0.348 against him lifetime, and he concedes a 5.88 ERA overall including an 8.47 at Camden Yards, and you've got the recipe for an underdog victory. This is just one of those teams he has not been able to figure out, it may have something to do with Baltimore being a semi left-hand dominated lineup, or it may not.. Fact is, he just struggles against the O's.
On the other side, I know I'm not the only one who is high on Matusz.. The youngster has fantastic stuff, and although he struggled a little bit in his only previous start against the Rays, I do expect a better effort with this game being played at Camden.
I know it's tough to back an O's club that has shown little sign of life, in terms of the Win column. Fact is though, this team has been in position to win plenty of games, and quite frankly they can blame a few of those losses on Mike Gonzalez. Without Gonzalez's struggles this team would be hovering right at 0.500, and nobody would blink an eye over it. The Starting pitchers have done their job, the bats have been a bit quiet, but tonight... Tonight they're at home, Gonzalez is in the dog house, Niemann has had his fair share of struggles against the O's bats, and we're getting plus money... Too good to pass up! Orioles 1 unit!
FLA / CIN Under 8.5
You've gotta feel for Bronson Arroyo if you're a Reds fan. The guy simply has not been able to get over the hump against his home town team. Arroyo is officially 0-2 in 5 starts against the Marlins, but he does keep an ERA under 4 against them. Like many Cincinnati pitchers over the years, Arroyo has been cursed by poor run support against the Marlins. Arroyo looked sharp as hell against St. Louis last week, and I fully expect him to be on his game as he tries to get this monkey off his back in front of his Southern Florida fans.
On the other side, Nate Robertson is a guy I don't have tons of faith in, but he did have an AWESOME spring, and he had a great first start as well. This is a guy that has three or four pitches that he uses regularly, and he can get each and every one of them over the plate. Now the issue is.. Sometimes Robertson gets a bit too fancy and the pitch count increases (as we saw in his first start), which in turn leads to more of that Marlins bullpen. Obviously that's a concern here, but I do expect Robertson to throw well, and I'm not going to cap a game expecting the bullpen to give up 4 runs in 3 innings... If that happens, we'll take our loss, but in my estimation it'd take that kind of a collapse by the Marlins bullpen.
The Reds pitching staff has been solid all season long, and they've been flat out cursed with terrible run support. The weather report calls for 10-20 MPH winds blowing IN from center field.. that does nothing but help us against the big bats of the Marlins, and the slow-starting Reds offense should do the rest. Let's roll with the UNDER for 1 unit!
Karl Garrett
Sacramento (+9') at LA LAKERS
G-Man scored with yet another comp play, as the Knicks cover against Washington.
That is a 10-2 free play run the last 12 days, 6 straight winners!
Take the points on Tuesday night, as the Kings conclude their season with a game effort at the Staples Center.
Sure, the Lakers are the # 1 seed in the West, but with the way they have played down the stretch, you have to wonder about their motivation in this game tonight.
Sacramento has covered in 4 of the last 7 in this series in the underdog role, and with Los Angeles clearly in "coast mode", I give the Kings plus the points a chance at staying inside of this number.
Take the points on Tuesday.
1♦ SACRAMENTO
Bobby Maxwell
Tampa Bay (-120) at BALTIMORE
Tonight I have another baseball winner for you as I go with the Rays in Baltimore to take on the Orioles.
Tampa Bay has taken seven of the last eight meetings with the Orioles and already won three of four from them this season, including Monday’s 5-1 victory in Baltimore
Tonight I’m laying the juice with Tampa as they throw Jeff Niemann (0-0, 0.00) against Baltimore lefty Brian Matusz (1-0, 3.60 ERA). These two met back on Thursday but Niemann left after 1.1 innings with some shoulder trouble but he should be back on the hill today.
Niemann finished strong last season, allowing three runs or less in five of his last seven outings.
Matusz wound up getting the win on Thursday, allowing two runs on two hits in five innings of a 5-4 victory, striking out seven and walking five.
However, Baltimore hasn’t done much offensively lately, scoring just three runs in their last three games and they’ve only won one game this season.
Tampa Bay is 24-9 in the last 33 meetings with the Orioles and carry some positive streaks into this one, including 8-3 as a favorite, 54-22 in the second game of a series and 13-5 against A.L. East teams. Look for the Rays to get it done again tonight, play Tampa Bay.
3♦ TAMPA BAY
VEGAS EXPERTS
Pittsburgh Pirates at San Francisco Giants
San Francisco is a big favorite at home against Pittsburgh tonight, and while we’ll take a pass on the side play, we do recommend a play on the Under. The Giants send Matt Cain to the mound, and he absolutely dominated the Pirates last season. In two starts, he allowed just one run over 16 innings, and threw a complete game shutout in his most recent start. And we’re not convinced the San Francisco offense will put up big numbers against Maholm, who has allowed 5 earned runs against the Giants over his last 20 innings (three starts). Tons of goose eggs on the scoreboard tonight!
Play on: Under
Vernon Croy
Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays
Play: Chicago White Sox
This pick falls into one of my top MLB systems and the White Sox after pulling off the win against the Jays last night in extra innings are in a good position to take game two of this series tonight. The Jays happen to be just 1-6 in Romero's last 7 starts when he pitches after a quality start in his last outing. The White Sox are hitting .289 as a team in two starts against a lefty starter this season and the Jays are hitting just .226 as a team to start the 2010 season. We are getting very good value here tonight with the White Sox since their starter tonight, Gavin Floyd, is coming off a solid outing against the Indians where he allowed just 5 hits over 6 innings while striking out 7 batters. Take the White Sox as your Free MLB Play for Tuesday night.
Tony George
Oakland A’s -130
The A’s Bullpen alone is worth the stretch in this game, but let’s look at the advantages of them in this game. Better on offense, better starter, better bullpen, better defense, power hitting, slugging percentage. Just to name a few. The bad news is the A’s are just 3-13 their last 16 trips to Seattle. Under a 2 ERA from the bullpen the last 3 games for the A’s, backed by some run support and a short number against a bullpen of Seattle with almost a 5 ERA looks like a take to me. The fact the A’s dominated the Mariners yesterday 4-0 also helps my case here.