All the credit in the world goes out to the Minnesota Twins (49-40 SU, +17.60 Units) for finishing the first half of the season at nine-games above .500. However, if they are going to get into the playoffs this year, at some point, they're going to have to figure out how to win road games against teams like the Oakland Athletics (41-50 SU, -17.15).
The Twins will put their 18-24 road record on the line this Saturday in Oakland.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Live bettors should come into this game knowing that Scott Kazmir probably isn't going to pitch all that long. He lasted just three innings in his last start before the All-Star break against the Yankees before leaving with a triceps injury. He'll be on the mound 10 days later, so we have to think that he is ultimately okay to give it a go.
That said, triceps injuries are really tough on starting pitchers in particular, thus this is something to keep an eye on.
Even if Kazmir is right though, this is a really tough matchup for him. Minnesota is averaging 0.51 more runs per nine innings this year against lefties that it is against righties.
Furthermore, back in May against these same Twins, the lefty allowed six runs in six innings in a 13-0 loss, the most of the damage of which came in a four-run third inning.
What also won't help Kazmir out in this one is the fact that Phil Hughes is on the mound for the Twins.
For the season, there are some advanced stats which suggest that Hughes could struggle in this one. A whopping 13.3 percent of his fly balls have gone for home runs, and his K/9 is just 5.40. His FIP of 4.64 would be one of the worst marks in his career.
If you just look at the last month though, you have to be impressed. Hughes went 4-0 in his last six starts before the All-Star break with a 3.38 ERA.
Be wary, though! The righty had a not-matching FIP of 5.13, and his WAR was -0.1.
ADVANCED STATS
The Twins really have a lot of power in their lineup. If you take the last 162 games of baseball played across the league, Minnesota would actually rank No. 7 in the league in run production.
Though on base percentage is still a struggle at times for the Twins, there are a number of men slugging well over .400 this year.
Brian Dozier is leading the way with a .513 slugging percentage, but with the addition of young Miguel Sano to the lineup, there are five regulars slugging at least .444.
TALKING BULLPENS
The A's have had massive bullpen problems all year long. They rank No. 29 of the 30 teams in team bullpen WAR at -0.4.
Fernando Rodriguez has been a real flame thrower out of the pen with an 11.42 K/9, and though he has a relatively high 3.46 ERA, his FIP of 1.69 and WAR of 0.6 suggest that he has been the best pitcher in this bullpen.
Up and down the bullpen aside from that though, there have been all sorts of problems. Closer Tyler Clippard has been sufficient, but things get tremendously worse from there. The pitchers you really need to steer clear from in live betting include Evan Scribner (4.52 FIP, -0.3 WAR), Dan Otero (6.29 ERA, 4.64 FIP, -0.2 WAR) and Edward Mujica (5.22 FIP, -0.2 WAR), all of which have been well below replacement level pitchers this year in this bullpen.
The baseball betting odds for this game will first be available at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers and adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in, and start gambling during the game now!
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute, so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker Sportsbook! The game between the Minnesota Twins and the Oakland Athletics will start at 9:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, July 18, 2015 at the O.co Coliseum in Oakland, CA. The matchup will be televised nationally on the MLB Network.
