We’re nearing the end of August and the playing field in both leagues continues to produce a complex look into October. Then there’s the economical side of things as clubs like Tampa Bay (76-48, +2336), the L.A. Angels (76-47, +2090) and Minnesota (70-54, +2076) have been betting dreams.
With the standings at stake for a handful of clubs and backers looking to capitalize on the final days of the regular season hardball is generating some heavy buzz. So, here’s what a packed Wednesday card will bring to the table.
Oakland (Braden) at Minnesota (Liriano) – 1:10 p.m. EDT
It was only on Monday that the A’s defied the odds, literally, taking a close 3-2 road win over a Twins team battling Chicago for first place in the AL Central. Bettors laying their money on Oakland and starting pitcher Justin Duchscherer (10-8, 2.54 ERA) were rewarded at the window for a $132 return on every $100 wagered.
With that Monday upset in the books, is it too far of a stretch for the Athletics to close out this three-game series with another win? The numbers are definitely against Oakland. Not only do the A’s hold the third worst road record in the AL at 23-34, but a 6-23 performance since emerging from the All-Star break is reason in itself to stay far away from wagering heavy on this underdog.
Then again, Oakland has seen success against the Twins with a 3-1 record in only four meetings together this season. The key to scoring another ‘W’ inside the Metrodome will be starting slinger Dallas Braden (3-2, 4.50). The A’s starter is coming off two solid back-to-back starts which witnessed Braden giving up a total of five runs on 12 hits in 14 innings. The southpaw has made right-handed batters pay with a .252 BAA but fellow lefties have scorched Braden with a .317 BA. With at least six lefty bats listed on Minnesota’s starting squad, bettors beware of a high flying act at the plate.
While it was worth taking a peak at, the surface seems to indicate that the Twins are in the midst of making a run to the top. Mix in starter Francisco Loriano (3-3, 4.97) into the equation and Minnesota will be on attack mode.
The ‘under’ is 7-1 in the last eight head-to-head meetings in Minnesota and is 11-4 in the last 15 matchups.
Atlanta (Jurrjens) at N.Y. Mets (Pelfrey) – 7:10 p.m. EDT
While the Braves are on a 1-7 slump in their last eight, the Mets are hoping that a 7-3 record in their last 10 can continue the defensive tactics of holding off Philadelphia in a battle for the division.
But before New York can continue looking towards the light at the end of the tunnel, the team must face Atlanta starter Jair Jurrjens (11-8, 3.15). The second year hurler is coming off a solid effort against San Francisco, giving up only two runs on eight hits, but the Braves were still unable to grab the win, getting outscored 5-1. Jurrjens is 6-4 with a 3.04 ERA on the road this year but has struggled somewhat in the month of August with a 1-2 record and a 3.79 ERA in three starts.
This season has been especially damaging to the Mets in head-to-head confrontations with the Braves. New York has gone 2-7 in 2008 versus ATL. Most books have listed the Mets as favorites only four times in those nine games against the Braves.
Look out for a New York bullpen whose tossed meatballs for a 6.11 ERA in the last 10. The team has been bailed out by the starting rotation whose gone on to log an outstanding 2.57 ERA in the same 10-game stretch.
And for a Mets club swinging a decent .267 BA on the year, the club has had major problems laying the bat on the ball against the Braves for a .227 BA while crossing the plate for a low 3.1 runs per game.
The ‘under’ is a sizzling 42-20-1 in Atlanta’s last 63 road games and is 6-2 in the last eight head-to-heads.
Florida (Olsen) at San Francisco (Cain) – 10:15 p.m. EDT
It might not appear to be the most action filled contest on the board, but a San Francisco team whose out 11 games from first in the NL West will look to shut the door on Florida in Game 2 of a three-game series.
The reason why backers of the Giants should be interested here lies in the left-hand of Marlins starter Scott Olsen (6-8, 4.03). The three-year slinger has been on a downward spiral, racking up an 0-4 (two road and two home losses) record in his last five starts. About the only good news generated from Olsen’s arm is a .177 BAA from lefty hitters.
It’s been over a year since the ‘Fish traveled to San Francisco and with a 4-10 record in their last 14 overall, the Marlins are hoping to turn things around on the West Coast.
For the Giants, a 7.67 ERA with a WHIP of 1.93 is a testament to what ’08 has been like for the club. Eleven-game winner Matt Cain (8-9, 3.57) will take the hill for San Fran and a 3-1 performance in his last five starts should be an indication that Florida might have problems inside the batters’ box. Cain is a lifetime 1-0 with a 3.60 ERA in three starts versus the Marlins. In his last outing on May 25 against Florida, Cain went six innings, giving up five hits and two runs in a 5-4 loss. The 2002 first round pick received a no decision in that contest.
The ‘over’ is 30-11-5 in the Marlins last 46 road games and most books have gone on to open the contest at a low 7 ½ runs. The Giants have been listed as an underdog eight times in the last 10 games by Bodog.com and latest lines indicate that the team might be a slight home favorite at -115.
Joshua Jacobs can be reached at jacobs@vegasinsider.com.
