Dodgers vs Athletics MLB Betting + Handicapping Picks
The Dodgers have cooled down just a bit, but they still enter this game with the best record in baseball.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Oakland Athletics MLB Betting Preview
Starting Pitchers: Los Angeles (Kershaw) vs. Oakland (Blackley)
Date/Time: June 21, 3:35 p.m. EST
MLB Gambling Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Los Angeles (-143) Oakland (+133)
Runline: Dodgers -1.5 (+115) vs. Athletics +1.5 (-135)
Total: 6.5
Matt Kemp has been on the disabled list for quite some time, but this team just continues to find a way to put together wins.
Oakland is a scrappy team who is tough to beat at home. Let’s take a look at this series finale.
Clayton Kershaw was the National League CY Young winner last year. Kershaw dominated lineups all season in 2011. He is 5-3 with a 2.84 ERA so far this year. He clearly hasn’t been the same pitcher he was last year.
In fact, in his last three starts Kershaw has a mediocre 4.50 ERA.
Overall, the Dodgers pitching staff has the second best ERA in the majors. Andre Ethier has 10 homers and 55 RBI’s so far this season. A.J. Ellis is having a breakout season at the catcher spot.
Bobby Abreu was picked up from the Angels, and he has helped this lineup quite a bit over the last few weeks.
Oakland was expected to be very bad this year, but they have hung around the .500 mark. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
This is a team that fights and claws for everything. Oakland is dead last in team batting average in the majors. The Athletics hit just .225 as a team. They are third in the majors in stolen bases with 56 already this season.
The pitching staff has been solid as well. Oakland has a team ERA of just 3.65. Josh Reddick has been a star performer for the Athletics offense. Reddick has already doubled his previous career-high in homers. He has 15 so far in 2012.
How bad is this offense? The regular with the best batting average is Yoenis Cespedes with a mediocre .273 average.
It’s tough to ignore the massive pitching advantage the Dodgers have in this one. Kershaw hasn’t been great of late, but he should be very good against this weak A’s lineup.
This looks like a solid price on the Dodgers.
MLB Free Pick: Dodgers ML
