Betsided

MLB Underdog of the Day (A's Getting no Love Despite Major Pitching Mismatch)

By Matt De Saro

Tampa Bay Rays v Oakland Athletics
Tampa Bay Rays v Oakland Athletics / Michael Zagaris/GettyImages
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After siding with the Mets twice this week in this spot, I wanted to shift gears to another team not getting any respect from the bookmakers. The Oakland Athletics. To be fair, the A’s haven’t earned a whole lot of goodwill with bettors as one of the least profitable teams to bet on. But, every dog has its day and I think the Athletics get it done here against the Seattle Mariners. I mean, the Mariners aren’t exactly a powerhouse team. So, why are they getting odds like they are? Let’s dive deeper into this game. 

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

Athletics vs. Mariners Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line

  • Athletics: +1.5 (-160)
  • Mariners: -1.5 (+130)

Moneyline:

  • Athletics: +155
  • Mariners: -170

Total:

  • Total 7 (Over -110/Under -110)

Athletics vs. Mariners Prediction and Pick

While I usually try to pick a good team getting dogged by the odds, I can’t with a straight face claim that Oakland is a good team. At 18-27 and 5th in the AL West, it’s clear that the Athletics have a lot of work to do. But, I think the Mariners, at 18-26, are fourth in the AL West and are basically as bad if not worse on some days than Oakland. Basically, I don’t see why two teams so evenly matched are getting odds this different. 

It usually comes to pitching in these tight games. But, the Mariners are starting Robbie Ray tonight who has been anything but impressive. Ray enters this game at 4-4 with a 4.77 ERA and 1.19 WHIP in 30 ⅓ innings. He’s given up four or more runs in three of his last four starts. His last disaster was against the lowly Red Sox who smacked him around for four earned runs in six innings. His strikeout numbers are strong, but that’s about all Ray has to offer the Mariners these days. 

Paul Blackburn will make his ninth start for the Athletics and enters with a spotless 4-0 record, 1.91 ERA, and 0.99 WHIP.  He hasn’t given up more than three runs in any start this year and has held teams scoreless three times. 

So, for the price of -170, you can bet on a 4-4 pitcher on an 18-26 team. That is not a very tempting proposition. Meanwhile, +155 will get you a ticket with an equally bad team and a pitcher with an ERA under 2.00.

Pick: Athletics +155  to win

Follow all of Matt De Saro’s betting picks HERE

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