Athletics vs. Mariners Pick
Will the Seattle Mariners be able to get on track when they open a series with the Oakland Athletics tonight at 10:10PM ET?
According to oddsmakers at BetDSI, Seattle is favored in tonight’s game, as the Mariners are getting odds of -145 to win. The Athletics are listed with odds of +135 to win, while the over/under total for the contest has been set at 9 runs. Oakland has won four of seven meetings with the Mariners this season.
MLB Quick Links: Scores & Matchups | Injuries | Odds Comparison | Betting Trends | ATS Stats
The pitching matchup tonight has Paul Blackburn (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on the mound for Oakland to face Sam Gaviglio (3-3, 3.48) of the Mariners. Blackburn has started just one game. He went six scoreless innings against the Braves, striking out four while walking one. Gaviglio has been pretty steady this season, giving up 20 earned runs in 51.2 innings. He has 31 strikeouts with 16 walks and a 1.20 WHIP on the season.
Oakland snapped a six-game losing streak with a pair of wins over Chicago over these last two days. The Athletics are 37-48 overall and 13-27 on the road. Oakland is putting up 4.34 runs per game this season while allowing 5.32 games. The Athletics are led by their power trio of Yonder Alonso (19 HR, 41 RBI), Ryon Healy (19 HR, 51 RBI) and Khris Davis (23 HR, 57 RBI).
Seattle is struggling right now. They were just swept at home by the Royals and have lost eight of their last 10 games. The Mariners are now 41-45 overall and 25-20 at home. Seattle is putting up 4.80 runs per game while allowing 4.91 per contest. Seattle has been led by Nelson Cruz, who has 17 doubles, 15 home runs and 63 RBI. Robinson Cano is adding 17 home runs and 60 RBI.
Neither team comes into this series with much momentum. The Mariners haven’t been able to hit the ball consistently, and when they have their pitching has let them down. The Athletics have some big bats, but their pitching has also been suspect. Tonight, I like Gaviglio, as he has a little more of a track record of success. Blackburn had a good first start, but it was just one start. I can’t quite trust him on the road yet.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: SEATTLE MARINER -145