With the postseason just around the corner, the action in the majors has definitely picked up. The struggling Oakland Athletics look to create some separation with the suddenly surging Seattle Mariners in a crucial AL West showdown. Meanwhile in the National League, it is a battle for supremacy in the NL West as the Los Angeles Dodgers take on the San Francisco Giants.
Read on for our preview of these two important ballgames and while you’re at it, check out our MLB Free Picks for the five best baseball games to bet on today.
[sc:MultiSportArticles ]Oakland Athletics vs. Seattle Mariners (10:10 PM ET)
Line: Oakland Athletics (+135) at Seattle Mariners (-150); total: 7.0 – see all MLB lines
[sc:MLB240banner ]The Oakland Athletics will send Jason Hammel (10-10, 3.55 ERA) to the mound later tonight in the opening game of a crucial three-game set against the Seattle Mariners as they look to create some breathing room in the ever-tightening AL Wild Card race.
It is the offense that has been the problem for the A’s lately though, scoring just one run in their last two games against the White Sox. They will have to deal with Seattle’s James Paxton (5-2, 1.87 ERA) next who has been immense for the Mariners lately. Seattle is an impressive 8-2 in his last 10 starts.
The Mariners are 4-6 in their last 10 home games while the Athletics have won just twice in their last 10 games on the road.
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Writer’s Prediction
The Athletics take the opener.
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants (10:15 PM ET)
Line: Los Angeles Dodgers (+118) at San Francisco Giants (-128); total: 6.5 – see all MLB lines
The Giants will look to slash the Dodgers’ lead at the top of the NL West down to one game and will send Madison Bumgarner (17-9, 3.02 ERA) to the mound. The Giants have fared extremely well when Bumgarner is their starter, going 4-0 in the left-hander’s last four starts.
The Dodgers will counter with Hyun-Jin Ryu (14-6, 3.16 ERA) who has compiled a solid 5-1 record in his last eight starts. He allowed just two earned runs on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings of work in his last assignment against the Diamondbacks.
The streaking Giants are an impressive 9-1 in their last 10 home games while the Dodgers are 7-3 in their last 10 games on the road.
You can read a full preview of the game here.
Writer’s Prediction
The Giants edge past the Dodgers in a low-scoring affair.
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