MLB Lines – M’s vs A’s
The Mariners will head south to Oakland on Monday to open a four-game series, which includes a doubleheader on Wednesday against the A’s, who have the second-best record in the American League.
SEA: Chris Young (R) (1-0, 3.04 ERA) v OAK: Scott Kazmir (L) (4-0, 2.11)
Date/Time: 10:05 pm ET Monday, May 5, 2014
Venue: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California
Broadcast: LOCAL
Line: -190 Oakland
Total: 7
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And while the Mariners (14-15) demoted centerfielder Abraham Almonte to Triple-A Tacoma, they finally look like they might be getting their money’s worth from second baseman Robinson Cano, who has strung together nine multi-hit games, but still has just one home run on the season.
And he probably won’t be getting another on Monday in game one, as he faces Oakland starter Scott Kazmir, who is looking for the first 5-0 start of his career.
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Cano is just 8-for-36 with three homers and 12 strikeouts against Kazmir, who stymied Seattle’s lineup in an outing last month, allowing just two hits and no runs, while fanning nine in six inning of work.
The lefty has been excellent as of late, allowing just three earned runs or fewer in all six of his outings this season, and is 4-3 with a 3.12 ERA in 12 career starts against the Mariners.
Meanwhile, the Mariners, who have won seven of their last nine contests, will go with right hander Chris Young on the mound on Monday.
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Young recorded his first victory his last time out, when he defeated the New York Yankees, giving up just two runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings. He has allowed three or fewer runs in three of his four starts and is 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA in five career starts against Oakland.
However, Oakland (19-12) has won four of six meetings with the Mariners this season.
MLB Gambling Trends
- Over is 7-1-1 in SEA last 9 overall.
- Over is 7-1-1 in SEA last 9 on grass.
- SEA are 2-8 in their last 10 Mon. games.
- OAK are 19-7 in their last 26 Mon. games.
- Over is 11-5 in the last 16 meetings.
MLB Notes
1. The Mariners demoted struggling CF Abraham Almonte (.198 with 40 strikeouts) to Triple-A Tacoma after Sunday’s game and will add a player to the roster on Monday.
2. Oakland RF Josh Reddick sprained his left ankle on Sunday and could be held out of the series opener.
3. Cano is 8-for-36 with three homers and 12 strikeouts against Kazmir.
Matt’s Free Prediction: UNDER
The Athletics should be pumped up after recording a 3-2 10-inning victory over the Boston Red Sox on Sunday to complete a 6-4 road trip. They did struggle offensively however against the Red Sox, being outscored 13-4 in dropping the first two of the three-game set.
And while, the A’s are obviously the better team overall, Seattle is hitting the ball and playing better right now.
With that, and the way both pitchers are playing, the best bet is on the total here, which I expect to stay UNDER.
