Athletics vs. Mariners Prediction and Odds for Wednesday, May 25 (Get to Know Your New Favorite Pitcher)

The Oakland Athletics and Seattle Mariners square off in the final battle of a three-game series today at 4:10 PM EST.

Paul Blackburn gets the nod for Oakland and he's been as steady as any pitcher in baseball. He's 4-0 with a 1.91 ERA and has only allowed three runs once in eight starts.

Seattle counters with Robbie Ray, who has struggled tremendously this season after coming over from Toronto following a Cy Young-winning 2021. Ray has given up at least four runs in three of his last four starts as he's compiled a 5.55 ERA in May. His strikeout numbers are on the rise but he's in just the 14th percentile in average exit velocity, resulting in him surrendering a home run in each of those outings.

Does Oakland really have the pitching advantage? Can Ray recapture his 2021 form or will Blackburn's steady approach lead to an upset?

Let's take a peak at the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help answer those questions and find value in this Athletics vs Mariners matchup:

Athletics vs Mariners Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Athletics +1.5 (-160)
• Mariners -1.5 (+135)

Moneyline:

• Athletics: +145
• Mariners: -155

Total:

• 7.5 (Over +105/Under -125)

Athletics vs Mariners Prediction and Pick

If you told me coming into the season that Paul Blackburn would be a better pitcher than 2021 AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray, I wouldn't have believed you. But that's the reality we face as Blackburn continually puts Oakland in positions to in while Ray labors through tough outings.

I'd normally say the Athletics' lineup is the great equalizer, yet the A's are actually hitting southpaws well recently. They're 11th in OPS against left-handed pitchers in May and are showing real, legitimate signs of life!

Don't get too excited or anything though, because Ray has actually been decent at home. In four home starts, Ray has a 3.73 ERA and has done a better job at limiting hard contact.

However, Blackburn still gives Oakland a distinct advantage. The A's have won seven of his eight starts with their only loss coming due to a blown save. Get a pen and paper out because I've got a doozy of a stat for you. A stat so special it deserves its own paragraph. Here goes:

If you bet $100 on the Oakland moneyline in each of Paul Blackburn's eight starts this year, you'd be up $840.

That'll play! Until oddsmakers catch on, we can keep profiting. If you haven't heard the name Paul Blackburn before, get familiar. He's every sports bettors' new favorite pitcher.

Pick: Athletics (+145)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.