Baseball Betting: Mariners vs Blue Jays
The Seattle Mariners used a surprising road sweep at Detroit to even their record at 10-10 heading into the weekend.
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The Seattle Mariners used a surprising road sweep at Detroit to even their record at 10-10 heading into the weekend.
The Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees are expected to be two of the best teams in the American League this year.
This weekend marks the end of the first month of the 2012 MLB regular season and a few early surprises both good and bad have made handicapping the games a bit more challenging so far.
The Twins and Royals have the same records and are tied in the basement of the AL Central 5 games back of the 3 teams tied for first.
The 2012 MLB regular season heads into the final weekend in April and there have already been a number of early season surprises that have had a direct impact on handicapping the games.
Chicago’s south side will be the site of a battle between the Red Sox and the White Sox Thursday night.
The Nationals have been one of the surprises in the early part of the MLB season, as they have the best record in the Majors and they are on a 4-game winning streak.
The Blue Jays are off to a solid start this year and just whipped through the Royals over the weekend. Now they are in Baltimore looking to avenge a poor home series against the surprising Orioles.
No team has been more of a disappointment so far this season than the Los Angeles Angels. They poured tons of money into Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson and the team has started out 6-11 through 17 games. Tampa Bay is 5-1 at home so far in 2012.
The Dodgers have gotten off on a torrid pace in the early part of this season. Led by Matt Kemp, they sit atop the NL with a 13-4 mark. The Braves on the other hand, have been a team of runs so far.
Two teams that generally hang around the top of the standings, and have gotten off to awful starts this season.
It looks like the Yankees have done something everyone else has failed to in this young season – make Texas look beatable.
The Mets started the season red hot, but after being swept in yesterday’s double-header against the Giants they are just 8-8 on the season. Miami is 7-8 on the year, but they are only 2-6 away from home.
The defending champion Cardinals have not missed a beat without Albert Pujols in the lineup, as they lead the NL Central and rank 4th in the Majors in runs scored.
The Red-hot Yankees are now in first place in the AL east after winning 2 straight games against the Boston Red Sox, the 3rd was postpones, and now head to the Lone Star State to face a Rangers’ team that is in first place in the AL West and has won 9 of their last 10 games.
Starting Pitchers: Minnesota (Pavano) vs. Tampa Bay (Shields)
Date/Time: April 21, 7:10 p.m. EST
MLB Gambling Odds from BetOnline
Moneyline: Tampa Bay (-178) Twins (+168)
Runline: Rays -1.5 (+115) Twins +1.5 (-135)
Total: 7.5
It was just a few short years ago that the Minnesota Twins were the dominant team in the AL Central. It appears those days are gone for the time being. Minnesota is coming off a 63-99 season, and they are off to another slow start. Tampa Bay has had an up and down season so far, but they are still right in the thick of the AL East race.
Minnesota has gotten just two quality starts out of their starting pitchers all season. The Twins pitching staff has an ERA of 5.54. Carl Pavano is technically the Ace of this staff, but he isn’t a true number one pitcher. In fact, that Pavano got the start on day one for the Twins is very telling of how far their pitching staff has fallen.
Josh Willingham has been the Twins best hitter so far this year. Willingham was picked up in the offseason, and he has been red hot so far in 2012. He has a .340 average and 5 home runs, both of which are team best marks. Justin Morneau got to rest last night, but he should be in the lineup for this one. The Twins need a big season from him and Joe Mauer.
Tampa Bay was expected to have one of the best pitching staffs in the majors, but they have been very disappointing so far this year. The Rays staff has a 5.35 ERA, and they have a major league worst WHIP of 1.57. James Shields is off to a pretty good start again this year, and he has been a very reliable pitcher for the Rays the past couple years.
The offense has carried this team to many of its wins this year. Carlos Pena returned to Tampa Bay this year, and he has a .333 average and 12 RBI’s to lead the team. Evan Longoria is healthy and hitting the ball well. Ben Zobrist and Desmond Jennings are two guys that the team needs to get more production from.
The Rays are 8-0 in Shields’ last 8 home starts. Tampa Bay has the edge all around in this one. After losing the series opener, look for the Rays to take of business in this one.
MLB Free Pick: Tampa Bay ML