MLB Thursday Preview – TAMPA BAY vs OAKLAND – 10:05 PM
Before baseball gambling fans turn their attention to other sports betting events this weekend, we have the Saturday MLB game of the day pick for you. It’s time for our weekly baseball picks for online MLB betting action.
Season Record:
TAMPA BAY (21 – 7)
OAKLAND (15 – 14)
Rookie Davis Looking For 4th Straight Win
The Tampa Bay Rays are enjoying one of their best starts in franchise history, and those who bet on sports know they have established themselves as one of the, if not the, best team in the American League.
They’re 20-7 record is the best in the AL since 2005. They’re pitching well and they’re hitting well. They can win at home and they can win on the road. They’re playing great team defense. They are the most complete team in the league. Oakland, however, is not as talented but do share an important stat with their cross-country rival; they too are a division leader.
The A’s have surprised a lot with their start to the season, one that sees them atop the AL West. Oakland showed a lot of grit taking two of three in a recent series against Texas; the Rangers are right behind the A’s for the division lead.
MLB Betting – Tampa Bay Rays @ Oakland Athletics
Wade Davis (3-1) vs Ben Sheets (1-3)
Davis vs Athletics Hitting
The rookie Wade Davis is enjoying a fine start to the 2010 season. After struggling in his debut, Davis has calmed down and has won his last three decisions. His latest win was possibly his best outing so far this year. Davis went head-to-head with Kansas City ace Zack Greinke and came out on top in a 1-0 Tampa win. The Rays righty went seven innings, allowing zero runs and striking out five.
However, the Athletics have seen Davis already this season and online betting knows they weren’t necessarily overwhelmed. Davis got the win in the matchup, although his numbers in the game weren’t spectacular. He lasted only five innings and gave up four runs on seven hits. Shortstop Cliff Pennington did the most damage; he went 4-for-5 with 4 RBI’s, including a two-run shot off Davis in the third inning.
Sheets vs Rays Hitting
Ben Sheets, one of Oakland’s prized offseason acquisitions, has been struggling mightily as of late. His last start was undoubtedly his worst of the season; he lasted only three innings and gave up nine runs on ten hits. In the start before that, against the same Tampa Bay lineup he’ll be facing on Saturday, Sheets allowed eight runs over four innings of work. His control has been off, his velocity has faltered and he just does not look comfortable on the mound.
Sheets’ recent outing against Tampa was the first time he had faced them in his career. No doubt he’d like a better result in his second outing.
Bullpen Comparison
The Rays bullpen has been pitching pretty well this season, with Rafael Soriano, Grant Balfour and Dan Wheeler are all sporting ERA’s under 3.00. However, those who bet sports know the bullpen has been one of the biggest strengths for Oakland all year, especially though as of late. Oakland relievers were fantastic in the recent series against Texas, as guys like Tyson Ross, Brad Ziegler and Andrew Bailey kept Oakland in games they really had little business winning.
Outlook
The Rays should win this easily. They have a much stronger pitcher on the mound and a much better lineup to do damage with. Davis is much more likely to have a bounce-back game against Oakland than Sheets is against Tampa Bay. This is pretty close to a lock for the Rays.
Gambling Trends:
TAMPA BAY is 39-48 (-16.9 Units) against the money line when playing against a team with a winning record over the last 2 seasons.
TAMPA BAY is 21-7 (+9.7 Units) against the money line in all games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 12-1 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in road games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 12-1 (+12.0 Units) against the money line in games played on a grass field this season.
TAMPA BAY is 9-1 (+8.1 Units) against the money line in road games in night games this season.
TAMPA BAY is 10-1 (+10.0 Units) against the money line in road games after a win this season.
OAKLAND is 167-196 (-53.7 Units) against the money line in May games since 1997.
Pick: Tampa Bay Rays
START MLB GAMBLING TODAY AT BODOG SPORTSBOOK & CASINO….CLICK HERE TO JOIN!!!
Poolside Rants hails from beautiful Bozeman Montana by way of Toronto, Canada. (Blame his wife for the move). He’s a Dallas Cowboys football honk. But please….don’t hold that against him. The man knows his sports and has uncanny knowledge when it comes to picking games.
