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Athletics vs. Guardians Prediction and Odds for Saturday, June 11 (Oakland Lacks Offense to Keep up With Cleveland)

By Matt De Saro

Oakland Athletics v Cleveland Guardians
Oakland Athletics v Cleveland Guardians / Nick Cammett/GettyImages
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The Oakland Athletics hold the title of worst team in the MLB over the last week.

After going 0-8 in the lead-up to their current series, it wasn’t much of a competition to name the A's the worst team in baseball. They further cemented themselves in that spot with a Game 1 loss to the Guardians on Thursday night 8-4. Their offense is practically nonexistent as Oakland scored two or fewer runs in five straight games before heading to Cleveland. All of this has me questioning why the A’s are mere +105 underdogs today against the Guardians. 

Here are the odds for this game from consensus sportsbooks. 

Athletics vs. Guardians Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Athletics: +1.5 (-200)
  • Guardians: -1.5 (+170)

Moneyline:

  • Athletics: +105
  • Guardians: -125

Total:

  • Total 7.5 (Over -110/Under -110)

Athletics vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

While I’ll admit the A’s have a pitching advantage today, will it be enough to overcome how bad the rest of this team is? If Frankie Montas’ 3.06 ERA and 2-6 record are any indications, the A’s cannot. The Athletics have lost nine of Montas’ starts in a row, including one against the Guardians at the end of April. That one was on Montas though after giving up five runs in five innings while walking four.

To put into perspective how bad Oakland is, the A’s went 0-6 in May when Montas started despite finishing the month with a 2.31 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00. So, it doesn't much matter what kind of game he has, the A’s are likely to lose. 

The reason for this is easy to find as the A’s have one of the worst bullpens in all of baseball with a 4.53 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. Montas routinely pitches into the triple digits, but once he hands the ball to the bullpen, bad things happen. 

I feel like this is a very straightforward game and lack any trust in the Athletics to finally do right by Motnas and score some runs. 

Pick: Guardians -1.5 (+170)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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