Sunday MLB Interleague Betting – D-Backs vs A’s Preview & Pick
The Arizona Diamondbacks had lost four of five through Thursday but their management maintains that they’ll be buyers leading up to the July trade deadline.
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MLB Betting – Diamondbacks vs Athletics Preview & Pick
Date: Sunday, July 3, 2011
Venue: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, CA
Broadcast: FSAZ, CSCA
Arizona Diamondbacks at Oakland Athletics Betting Lines from BetOnline.com
Money Line: Oakland -118
Over/Under: 6.5
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Arizona Diamondbacks (44-38 through June 30)
Ian Kennedy (8-2, 3.01)
It’s tough to blame them, as there’s plenty to like about the D-backs right now. Justin Upton is really blossoming to become the five-tool player everyone hoped he would be. Miguel Montero looks healthy and is enjoying a nice bounce-back season behind the plate.
Arguably, Ian Kennedy, who starts Sunday, has been the best Arizona player of all this season. He’s lost just twice in 17 starts and has a healthy 97 strikeouts in 116.2 innings. He’s allowed one earned run or fewer six times in his last 10 outings. Oakland also has to take notice that Kennedy is a road monster this season, going 5-0 with a 2.28 ERA in seven starts away from Chase Field.
Oakland Athletics (36-46 through June 30)
Gio Gonzalez (7-5, 2.38)
The A’s have been a disappointment this season, largely because their offense has been so atrocious. We expected Oakland’s bats to be below-average, but that turned out to be an understatement. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Oakland is third-worst in the majors in runs per game and batting average; second-worst in OPS; and dead last in homers with a paltry 43 (less than the top two Yankee players’ total). Coco Crisp leads the team in hitting at .269. Gross.
The A’s pitching has been as good as advertised, however. Gio Gonzalez is proving last season’s breakout was no fluke. Gio’s walk rate remains sky-high but he’s a true power pitcher, with 99 whiffs in 102 innings. Gonzalez has allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his last 10 starts.
MLB Trends:
ARI are 8-3 in their last 11 road games.
ARI are 11-24 in their last 35 Sun. games.
Under is 10-3 in Kennedys last 13 on grass.
Under is 8-2 in OAK last 10 on grass.
Under is 8-2 in OAK last 10 overall.
Under is 19-7-2 in OAK last 28 interleague games.
ARI are 7-2 in the last 9 meetings in Oakland.
ARI are 8-3 in the last 11 meetings.
MLB pick:
Gonzalez gives the A’s a chance to win every time he takes the hill, but I see him as a hard-luck loser on Sunday. Kennedy has been just as good and gets to face a horrifically bad Oakland lineup. On the flip side, Arizona has much more pop. I have to think the Snakes take this one.
Diamondbacks vs Athletics prediction: Diamondbacks 3, Athletics 1
