Bet On MLB: M’s vs. A’s Handicapping
The 2012 MLB season will open in the Land of the Rising Sun and the 2 game series in Japan will be dedicated to assisting in the rebuilding efforts across that nation that is still recovering from a massive earthquake last year.
Venue/ Stadium: Tokyo Dome, Tokyo, Japan
Time/Date: 6:10 AM EST Wednesday, March 28, 2012
NCAA Odds From: Bovada
Moneyline: A’s -120 / Mariners +100
Over/Under: 9.5 runs
Seattle Mariners vs. Oakland A’s Preview
The A’s are technically the home team in this game and they are the slight favorites. While the A’s had a better record last season the Mariners will have the 2010 Cy Yong winner on the mound. MLB lines have the A’s posted as slight favorites at -120 with the Mariners at +100 and a total of 9.5 runs.
Last season the A’s finished 3rd in the AL West at 74-88 and the Mariners finished in the basement at 67-95, which was the 2nd worst record in the American League.
It is probably a good thing that this Oakland “home” game is in Japan, as in the Mariners last 52 road games they are only 16-36.
Taking the mound for Seattle in this game is Felix Hernandez (2011 record – 14-14 3.47 ERA) and for Oakland is Brandon McCarthy (2011 record – 9-9 3.34 ERA). The A’s have not had much luck against Hernandez, as they are 3-14 in his last 17 starts against Oakland.
The Mariners may need a great start from Hernandez, as last season they ranked 30th in the Majors in runs, batting average, and on-base percentage.
The big move by the Mariners in the off-season was that they traded #2 starter Michael Pineda to the Yankees for highly touted prospect Jesus Montero. He has all the tools to be a star and hit over .325 after New York called him up last season. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
The Mariners will need Chone Figgins and Ichiro to get to McCarthy early in this game and get on base.
Last season the A’s ranked 20th in the Majors in runs scored and they also have a new hot prospect in Yoenis Cespedes, but Coco Crisp and Jemile Weeks are the 2 guys that may be key to the A’s this season. Weeks was the only player that hit over .265 for the season.
Neither team has a lot of power and getting on base and key hits will be important in this game, but I see a pitching duel in the making for the opening game of the season.
In some betting trends for this AL West match up the Mariners are 6-13 in their last 19 games vs. a right-handed starter, 34-70 in their last 104 vs. American League West, and they have an Over record of 5-2 in their last 7 road games.
The A’s are 5-2 in their last 7 overall, 6-2 in McCarthy’s last 8 home starts, and they have an Under record of 6-1-1 in their last 8 games.
Jason’s Pick: I have to go with the Mariners in this game simply because of Felix Hernandez. I think this will be a low scoring pitching duel and for the game take the Mariners and the Under.
