Everything’s not A-Ok – Oakland A’s vs. Chicago White Sox

MLB Betting – Game Match-up 6/2

Oakland Athletics vs. Chicago White Sox 8:11 ET

The Chicago White Sox (25-25, +$65) continued its stellar play last night at US Cellular field when it took the first of four sports betting match-ups from the Oakland A’s (19-30, -$965) by a 6-2 final count. The four-run victory improved their run-line record to 27-23 on the year allowing them to put $630 worth of baseball betting profits in their backers pockets on the year. With the game tied at two-apiece in the 8th inning, Jim Thome launched his 550th career home run to left-center to put the Sox ahead for good. Gavin Floyd churned out a quality start for his third outing in a row, and the White Sox now own a four-game baseball betting winning streak and have won 10 of their L/13 overall.

With Chicago heating up, they now sit just 3.5-games in back of the AL Central Division leading Detroit Tigers. Oakland has failed to live up to its pre-season expectations for MLB bettors thus far, as they currently sit 28th on the list of $$$-winners losing close to $1000 on the year. They’ve won just eight of their 25 road games (-$650), and just three of their L/12 as a visitor. They’ve done some of their best work off a loss in Game 1 of a series by going 6-6 in Game 2. Chicago sits under .500 (4-5) off a win in Game 1 when playing the following day. Chicago’s won three in a row against Oakland and 5 of the L/6 overall meetings.

The second game of the four-game series finds righty Bartolo Colon and the White Sox installed as -145 home favorites; the game ‘total’ has been set at 9.5 over -110.

Rookie right-handed pitcher Vin Mazzaro will test the “Big League” waters for the first time tonight when he gets the call to throw his first major league start. He’s flourished in the Pacific Coast League having been named the league’s top pitcher in successive weeks. He’s posted a 2.38 ERA in 10 starts with the River Cats, and is coming off a start that saw him toss six innings of shutout ball while K’ing six and walking one. Through 27 2/3rd innings of his L/4 starts, the youngster’s allowed just one run and nine hits with a K/BB ratio of 21/4.

Bartolo Colon meant business his last time out after getting pounded by Minnesota in his previous start, and the righty churned out his best start of the year vs. the LA Angels. He allowed just four hits and one run while striking out three and walking none through 6+ innings to earn his third victory of the season. He’s been at his best within the comfy confines of “The Cell” going 2-2 with a 2.75 ERA allowing just 19 hits and six ER’s through 19+ total innings of work. Bartolo is 6-4 with a 3.74 ERA and 1.24 WHIP in 14 career start against the A’s.

This looks to be as reasonable a price as any to get a piece of the Palehose tonight. Oakland is just a very poor baseball team this year, and the White Sox are feeling it right now. Chicago’s shown that it can run hot for weeks over the years, so I see no reason to jump ship in this spot. Especially with their recently hot offense staring back at a hurler making his beg league debut…

Rose’s Recommendation: 3* Chicago -145 (Colon)

(Rating Scale: 1* – 5*)