Athletics vs. Orioles Pick
Can the visiting Oakland Athletics top the favored Baltimore Orioles Tuesday at 7:05PM EST?
Oddsmakers at sports book Bovada.lv have made the Orioles a -160 favorite to win, while the Athletics are a +140 underdog. The over-under is 10.5.
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Paul Blackburn (3-1, 3.46 ERA) draws the start for Oakland, while Baltimore will go with Ubaldo Jimenez (5-8, 6.47). The rookie Blackburn started his MLB career on fire, but has regressed as opposing teams have figured him out. He’s still tossed a couple gems in his last starts with a combined 13 2/3 shutout innings at the Blue Jays and Angels, but in his other four starts Blackburn has allowed four earned runs three times and five earned runs once. He did not have a high srikeout rate in the minors and has only fanned 22 in 54 innings with Oakland, so expect him to continue struggling to get hitters out consistently. Jimenez has been one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball this season and after a four-start stretch where he pitched much better than norm, he returned to form in his last start as he allowed six earned runs over 4 1/3 innings at Seattle. He has a 1.56 WHIP on the season and a 6.61 ERA in 10 home starts.
Oakland is 54-71 overall and 20-40 on the road, while Baltimore is 61-64 and 37-25 at home. The Orioles lead the season series 3-2 after Monday’s 7-3 victory, while the total has gone under in three of the five games.
In the series opener, Adam Jones homered twice to help Baltimore to the win. Jones was 4-for-4 with three runs and two RBIs. Jonathan Schoop added a home run and three RBIs. Wade Miley gave up two earned runs in six innings to get the win, while Zach Britton picked up his 11th save. Jed Lowrie and Boog Powell hit home runs for Oakland, while Chris Smith gave up five runs (four earned) in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Blackburn didn’t pitch well against Baltimore in Oakland and now he will face the same team a couple starts later at Camden Yards. Couple that with Jimenez also pitching and this game could fly over the total.
MLB DAILY PREDICTION: ATHLETICS/ORIOLES OVER 10.5