MLB Betting \u2013 Athletics vs Red Sox Preview & Pick<\/strong> Oakland Athletics (27-30)<\/strong> The Oakland Athletics have frustrated their fans with their inconsistency this season. After winning four straight games, they got swept at home by the New York Yankees. They were outscored 19-5 over that span. Now that their stellar starting pitching has slumped ever so slightly, they\u2019re losing, as their anemic offense can\u2019t carry the load.<\/p>\n One exception has been Josh Willingham. He has 10 homers on the year, including three bombs (with nine RBI) over his last six games. The A\u2019s will need his bat in full force Friday with the unproven Josh Outman on the hill at Fenway Park.<\/p>\n Outman has been very lucky so far this season. He has a 2.08 ERA but has walked eight batters in 13 innings. If he puts guys on like that against Boston, he\u2019s toast.<\/p>\n Boston Red Sox (30-26)<\/strong> Just when it lookED as though Boston would streak right into first place in the American League East, the Red Sox lost four straight games, including three at home to the White Sox. They allowed seven-plus runs in all three of those losses. Can Clay Buchholz stop the bleeding on the mound Friday night? After a shaky April (1-3, 5.33) the young hurler went 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA in May. He has a 7.31 career ERA against the A\u2019s but he held them to one run and beat them the last time he faced them.<\/p>\n MLB Trends:<\/strong><\/p>\n OAK are 2-6 in their last 8 road games. The pick: <\/strong><\/p>\n Josh Outman? Really? No way I pick Oakland for Friday\u2019s game. Even though lefthanded hitters bat .151 off him in his career, Boston\u2019s lineup isn\u2019t all lefties. He may solve Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford and David Ortiz but that still leaves Kevin Youkilis and Dustin Pedroia. Outman just puts too many guys on base not to be punished. And the improving Buchholz can handle Oakland\u2019s popgun offense.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Friday, June 3, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>Fenway Park, Boston, MA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>CSCA, NESN
\nOakland Athletics at Boston Red Sox Betting Lines from BetOnline.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Boston -185<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 8.5 (-105)<\/strong>
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\nJosh Outman (1-0, 2.08)<\/p>\n
\nClay Buchholz (4-3, 3.41)<\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n
\nUnder is 7-1-1 in Outmans last 9 starts overall.
\nUnder is 6-1-1 in Outmans last 8 on grass.
\nOver is 17-5-4 in BOS last 26 Fri. games.
\nOver is 5-2-1 in BOS last 8 overall.
\nOver is 5-2-1 in BOS last 8 on grass.
\nOAK are 4-12 in the last 16 meetings in Boston.
\nOver is 11-4 in the last 15 meetings.<\/p>\n