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Athletics vs. Mariners Prediction and Odds for Saturday, July 2 (Struggling Pitchers Face off in NL West Action)

By Matt De Saro

Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners
Oakland Athletics v Seattle Mariners / Steph Chambers/GettyImages
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The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners, arguably the two worst teams in the NL West, square off this afternoon in Game 3 of a four-game weekend set. Seattle took an exciting series opener 8-6 while the A’s took Game 2 in a tight 3-1 win. I expect tonight’s game to mimic Game 1 in terms of the score with George Kirby and Paul Blackburn both struggling on the mound recently. 

Here are the odds for this game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook. 

Athletics vs. Mariners Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Athletics: +1.5 (-145)
  • Mariners: -1.5 (+125)

Moneyline:

  • Athletics: +160
  • Mariners: -175

Total:

  • Total 7 (Over -120/Under +100)

Athletics vs. Mariners Prediction and Pick

Kirby gets another crack at the A’s this afternoon after tossing six scoreless innings against Oakland last Wednesday. The problem here is that Kirby is coming off his worst game of the year on Monday and I’m not sure where his head is at right now.

The Baltimore Orioles, of all teams, scored seven earned runs on Kirby in four very long innings. The 24-year-old righty gave up four home runs off nine hits while striking out two and walking one. Overall Kirby’s rookie year was going well before that start. But his ERA shot from 3.12 to 4.08 in just four innings.

On top of his failure on Wednesday, it should also be noted that the A’s beat up on Kirby at the end of May. Kirby labored through five innings while giving up four earned runs in a 7-5 loss. Kirby struck nine and didn’t walk a batter, but he allowed too much quality contact. In two games, the A’s are batting .329 against Kirby with 11 hits and eight strikeouts. 

While that is all good news for Oakland, they have their own issues on the mound with Paul Blackburn. Blackburn started the season on a tear but watched his ERA go from 2.15 at the end of May to 3.12 today. Still solid, but his ERA of 5.13 in June is concerning. His stats against the M’s is also concerning with a .326 batting average and 1.104 OPS. Blackburn allowed the Mariners 11 hits, two home runs, and eight RBIs in 32 at-bats. 

While neither team has a particularly good offense, they have regularly beat up on each other all season. In eight games so far this year, the A’s and M’s are averaging 8.87 runs per game and went OVER today’s total in five of eight. 

Pick: OVER 7 (-120)

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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