Baseball Lines – Oakland vs Seattle

After losing three of four games to open the season in Oakland, the Seattle Mariners will be looking for a little revenge in Monday afternoon’s MLB betting odds. But with the inconsistent Ryan Rowland-Smith on the mound, will they be able to get it?

Oakland Athletics (5-2 SU, 4-3 R/L, 4-2-1 O/U) at Seattle Mariners (2-5 SU, 3-4 R/L, 4-2-1 O/U)

Monday, April 12: 6:40 p.m.

Oakland: +1 ½, -190, +110
(Justin Duchscherer-R)

Seattle: -1 ½, +160, -130
(Ryan Rowland-Smith-L)

Over 7 ½: Even
Under 7 ½: -120

Rowland-Smith comes into this game off a disappointing start last Wednesday in Oakland. In the game, he was roughed up for eight hits and three earned runs in just five innings of work. The Australian had a so-so spring, but is coming off a 2009 season that saw him give up just about three earned runs a game in his 15 starts.

As for Seattle’s offense, early on it has been nothing short of abysmal, as they Mariners have averaged just three runs per game in their first week of play. They have yet to score over five runs in any single game, and have mustered two runs or less in four of their five losses. Whenever Casey Kotchman is your prime source of power (one home run, six RBI), there’s a pretty good chance your team is in trouble.

As for Oakland, the A’s have been one of the majors big surprises so far, as they’ve jumped out to a 5-2 record, and took two of three in Anaheim over the weekend. Their biggest surprise offensively has to be first baseman Daric Barton, who at the age of 25, seems to finally be showing some of the incredible skill that made him a former top prospect of the organization. Barton is currently batting .381 and leading this team with seven RBI’s.

On the mound, Oakland will hope that Justin Duchscherer can regain some of the poise that made him an All-Star back in the summer of 2008. Duchsherer missed all of 2009 with a myriad of injuries, while also suffering from depression. In his first start this season he struggled, giving up five earned runs in just 5.2 innings.

It’s not every often that you can expect an offensive outburst when these two teams get together, but Monday afternoon’s MLB betting odds might be one of those instances.

In this case, you have two AL West rivals that know each other quite well, and two pitchers facing off who struggled against this exact opposition in their only previous starts. Expect runs early and often, and expect the A’s to ultimately come out on top.

Look for a high scoring, action-packed game in Seattle on Monday afternoon. In it, look for the Oakland A’s to win, and for the run total to go over 7 ½.

Aaron’s Pick: Oakland (+110) and OVER 7 ½ runs