ODDS ANALYSIS
The Red Sox strung together consecutive wins for the first time since Apr. 20-21 with an 11-inning 5-4 win over the Athletics on Monday and are hopeful it’s a sign their fortunes are changing. They continue their road trip against the equally struggling Oakland Athletics Wednesday.
Working with a beleaguered pitching staff the Sox have struggled after such a promising start to the season. In an attempt to rectify the problem they fired pitching coach Juan Nieves and replaced him with Carl Willis, who took over on Sunday, and the Sox won each of their first two games with him. The Sox struggles have made them a poor bet being down 5.42 units in the last 10 games and in the red 5.07 units on the season. They cashed the over Monday after the under was 7-1-1 in their previous nine games.
Oakland’s losing streak reached six games following a 5-4 defeat Monday and the A’s are MLB’s biggest loser at the window down 13.56 units on the year. If you’re going to wager on the Athletics take a hard look at the over where they are a 6-2-2 in their last 10 and a MLB-best 24-8-2 on the year. Even when ace Sonny Gray takes the hill the A’s have exceeded the total going 5-1-1 in his seven starts.
PITCHING MATCHUP
Boston’s Wade Miley (1-4, 6.91 ERA) was hit around for four earned runs on eight hits in six innings Friday against Toronto picking up his fourth loss of the season. After going 2.1 innings twice in his first four starts, he’s delivered at least six innings in his last two outings.
After spending the first four seasons of his career in the NL with Arizona, Miley will be facing the Athletics for the first time.
Sonny Gray (4-0, 1.65 ERA) was left with a no-decision after holding the Mariners to one run in six innings Friday. He left with a two-run lead after striking out nine but the A’s couldn’t hold on for him. He’s turned in six quality starts of his seven overall and has not pitched fewer than six innings in any of his starts.
Gray pitched six solid innings giving up six hits and two earned runs without a decision in his only career start against the Red Sox on May 4, 2014.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“We’ve been on the road 20 of 26 (games), I think everybody is just ready to go back to Oakland for a little while. It’s not an excuse, I think it’s a fact that we’re ready to go home.” – Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
The ongoing saga that is the Oakland A’s bullpen gained another possibility over the weekend when veteran right-hander Edward Mujica was acquired from the Red Sox. Mujica won’t solve all the A’s relieving woes but he gives the team another arm in a pen that can’t seem to have enough of them. The A’s bullpen has been quite the adventure this year with a first baseman, a 32-year-old rookie and several young arms that should probably be in Triple-A right now trying to fill the roles. Oakland has the highest bullpen ERA in the American League while relievers have a league-high nine losses and are tied for the fewest saves in the AL with four. The Sox could take advantage when starter Sonny Gray leaves – if he does.
PROP TALK
Athletics catcher Stephen Vogt has been quite the find. A career .270 hitter, Vogt finished off the recent 10-game road trip with a three-hit game at Seattle raising his average to .340 while bashing his team-high eighth home run. The emergence of Vogt last season allowed the A’s to trade Derek Norris during the offseason giving him the full-time catching chores and he hasn’t disappointed. Following a lengthy road trip, Vogt is one Oakland player who is glad to be back at the O.co Coliseum where he’s hitting .343 this season.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Just a few weeks ago we were talking about the Red Sox being a contender in the AL East. Now we’re discussing what they need to do to stay out of the basement. One thing that needs to improve is their pitching, which ranks at the bottom of the AL in staff ERA. Offensively the Sox have been good but they’ve been unable lately to cover up for the poor pitching like they did early in the year. Facing Sonny Gray could be problematic for the Sox with their recent struggles.
After playing 20 of 26 games on the road a return home might be just what the A’s need to get back on track. They’re off to their worst start since 1999 and their bullpen has a lot to do with that. The pen blew a two-run lead in Gray’s last outing and with closer Sean Doolittle still on the DL it’s been an adventure when manager Bob Melvin dips into the pen. Stephen Vogt has been the catalyst on offense leading the club in average, home runs and RBIs through the first month of the season. The return of Coco Crisp will energize the offense and shore up the defense with his Gold Glove back in the outfield. Gray has been phenomenal all season and might have to finish what he starts with a fragile bullpen behind him.
Oakland 6, Boston 2
BookMaker will be the first sportsbook to send out the baseball odds for this marquee matchup. Since this game can be seen by anyone with a TV, BookMaker will have a multitude of wagering options available for it. Outside of the normal lines, you can gamble on real-time moneylines, player props and inning totals. Live betting is open during every commercial break!
Need to fund your account before the big game but don’t have your computer? No problem, BookMaker Sportsbook now offers a mobile betting cashier so you can deposit money directly from your smartphone. Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet, click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The ballgame between the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics will take place Wednesday, May 13, 2015, at 3:35 p.m. ET at O.co Coliseum. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
