A’s travel to St. Louis for interleague set
Oakland realizes it has no chance of partaking in the 2016 playoff party. Yet that doesn’t mean Bob Melvin’s club can’t cause a little chaos down the stretch.
Having just seized two of three from the AL Central-leading Indians, the A’s (55-72) aim to stymie the Cardinals tonight. Online sports book BetDSI gives Mike Matheny’s team odds of -176 to claim the series opener. Conversely, the visitors enter Busch Stadium as +156 underdogs. The over/under run figure rests at 8.5.
Melvin will turn to a hurler who’s intimately familiar with the Gateway City. Ross Detwiler (1-2, 5.91 ERA), of neighboring Wentzville, receives his fourth start of the season. Most recently, the White Sox tagged the lefty for 10 hits and six runs across four innings.
Meanwhile, St. Louis sends Luke Weaver (0-1, 5.00) to the bump. The rookie labored through last week’s outing at Philadelphia. With Michael Wacha (shoulder inflammation) on the shelf, though, Matheny’s currently counting on one of the farm system’s crown jewels.
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Despite Thursday’s 10-6 defeat to the Mets, the Redbirds (67-59) remain 1 ½ games ahead of Miami for the senior circuit’s second wild-card spot. Weaver’s Grade A stuff also stacks up well against an Oakland lineup that struggles to handle flamethrowers. Bank on the Cards to snag their 30th home win of the campaign.
FRIDAY MLB FREE PICK: A’S/CARDINALS OVER 8.5 RUNS