Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics – Major League Baseball – June 19, 2014 – Betting Preview and Prediction

The Boston Red Sox are on a three-game win streak, but standing in front of them is AL’s top team, the Oakland Athletics. The A’s, in the meantime, will look to improve their AL-best record of 44-28 at the expense of the Red Sox. All told, the stage is set for an excellent baseball game.

This game is one of the best games to bet on today along with the World Cup’s England vs. Uruguay. Read on for everything you need to know to bet on this game and get into the action with two of MLB’s best teams.
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Boston Red Sox vs. Oakland Athletics Betting Preview and Prediction

Where: O.co Coliseum, Oakland, California

When: June 19, 10:05 PM ET

Line: Boston Red Sox (+150) at Oakland Athletics (-170); total 7.5 – view all MLB lines

Betting on Boston Red Sox

The Red Sox are in an offensive slump lately, scoring only nine runs in their last five games. Oakland isn’t a welcome sight for Boston’s hitters, either: they only hit .196 and were outscored 53-16 while losing eight of their last nine games at Oakland.

[sc:MLB240banner ]Although struggling offensively, Boston has made their opportunities count when they’ve had them. Mike Napoli and David Ortiz hit back-to-back homers on Wednesday, and with two swings got enough done to secure their 2-1 win over Minnesota.

Dustin Pedroia will be a key bat for the Red Sox in this one. The star second baseman hit .514 against Athletics starter Scott Kazmir last season, including a home run.

Boston’s weakness in this game could be their starter: Jake Peavy (1-4, 4.53 ERA). The Boston pitcher has allowed 18 earned runs in his last five starts.

Betting on Oakland Athletics

If Boston is running dry offensively, Oakland certainly isn’t, having put together the best team average in the majors. They scored 37 runs in their last five games.

The A’s Josh Donaldson has finally gotten out of his slump hitting 5-for-15 and scoring two runs in his last four games. Coco Crisp has also been hot, hitting .364 with 11 RBIs in his last 17 home games, though he is just 2-for-10 in his career against Peavy. Meanwhile, Yoenis Cespedes has a hit in each of his last four games, and is 1-for-4 in four career at-bats against Peavy.

Oakland’s Kazmir (8-2, 2.05 ERA) has taken his game to another level this season, and now owns the third-best ERA in the majors. He is 4-1 with a 1.44 ERA in his last seven starts for Oakland overall. Kazmir only faced Boston once last year during his stint with Cleveland, in which he allowed two runs in five frames before being relieved.

The total has gone under in Oakland’s last six games against Boston.

Writer’s Prediction

Oakland (-170) hits their way to another win at the expense of Boston. To get into the drama of this major game in the AL, create a betting account now and get the summer going.
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