Slugfest on tap between A’s, O’s?
Oakland’s rotation has absorbed blow after blow on the young season, handling most of the punches with aplomb. All of a sudden, though, the perennial AL West contender could be staggering against the ropes.
Tonight in Baltimore, the A’s will try to reverse a rough 3-9 stretch in the series opener between the two clubs. Oddsmakers at online sports book Bovada.lv are banking on as much, listing the visitors as 1.5-run favorites. The over/under run total holds steady at eight.
On the heels of losing starters Felix Doubront and Jarrod Parker for the year to elbow injuries, Oakland just learned that fellow righty Chris Bassitt needs reconstructive surgery as well. This evening, it’s up to Rich Hill (3-3, 2.53 ERA) to slow a Baltimore lineup that ranks among the most dangerous in the American League. Hill totes a 1.42 ERA in his previous three turns.
The perpetually combustible Ubaldo Jimenez (1-3, 5.20), meanwhile, toes the rubber for Buck Showalter. He aspires to end a string of three consecutive losses since capturing his first assignment of the season. Needless to say, it helps that the O’s have won four in a row and eight of their last 11 at home vs. the A’s.
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Frankly, we don’t trust either hurler to experience much success at Camden Yards. Both batting orders, conversely, possess the ability to go off on a moment’s notice. Bet on that lumber to carry the day.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: ATHLETICS/ORIOLES OVER 8 RUNS
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