MLB Baseball
2012-06-05 - Texas Rangers at Oakland Athletics
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Baseball : North America : MLB
Tuesday, June 5th, 2012, 8:05PM US
(1:05AM GMT)
PREVIEW
Yesterday, Oakland thrashed Texas 12-1. Don't look shocked. The Rangers have been getting thrashed a few times recently, by teams they really should not be getting tonked by. Oakland had won just 1 of their previous 11, and despite being the lowest scoring side in the AL, they scored a dozen.
Last week, Texas were thrashed more than once by a very poor Seattle Mariners side. This is not a good Rangers side at the moment, and teams can score on them more easily than normal, something the public has trouble accepting from such a big public favourite.
The Rangers send out Derek Holland, who is 4-4 with a 5.11ERA after getting smacked around in his last start, allowing 8 runs in the 2nd innings against Seattle in a game they lost 21-8! I realise he has a 1.91ERA against Oakland over 6 career starts but he is not ok at the moment. He was 16-5 last year but that has not affected him going 4-4 this year has it?
The Athletics start Travis Blackley, who is 0-0 with a 0.82ERA throwing out of the bullpen with just 1 start. His last start saw his Oakland side lose 5-4 against Minnesota although he escaped with a no decision. Texas are always a danger offensively, and having been held to just 1 run yesterday I would expect nothing but a concerted effort from them today, meaning we are likely to see runs from the Rangers bats.
BETTING VERDICT
The total looks a slight bit short for me as too much is being read into the head-to-head. Texas are giving up runs against everyone right now, as is Holland. Oakland could well put up 5 or 6 themselves here if the Rangers aren't careful, while I trust their bats to score a few themselves too. Let's go with Over 7.5 runs to be scored in this one tonight.
The Pick :
Over 7.5 runs to be scored
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Over 7.5 runs to be scored @ 2.02 (Pinnacle)
