MLB Betting – Bay Area Rivalry Renewed This Weekend In San Francisco

After a tough stretch through the middle of the month of May in which the Giants were swept by both the San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics, San Francisco has come together to win 10 of its last 16 and is currently only two-and-a-half games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in the National League West division. Now, with a three-game set against their Bay Area rivals next up on the schedule, this time on their own home turf, the Giants send their ace to the mound in hopes of making that gap between where they sit and first place even smaller. 

MLB Game Odds: 
Oakland Athletics +160
Gio Gonzalez – L
San Francisco Giants -190
Tim Lincecum – R 

Total: 
6.5 O -125
6.5 U +105

Run Line:  
Athletics +1.5 -145
Giants -1.5 +125 

Location: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
Game Time: Friday, June 11, 2010 – 10:15 PM ET
TV: KNTV 

The Week That Was: Athletics 

The month of June has not been kind to the Athletics so far. After winning five of their last six to end May, Oakland conceded series’ to both the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins before winning the final of a four-game set to earn a split with the division-rival Los Angeles Angels. Their offensive outputs have been somewhat erratic, as illustrated in the series against the Angels where they put up 16 runs in the pair of wins, compared to just three runs in the two losses. With their next nine on the road before finally returning home on the 21st of June, Oakland will need to find some increased consistency if they are going to have any chance of keeping pace with the Texas Rangers for top spot in the American League West. 

The Week That Was: Giants 

Wins in four of five against the Pittsburgh Pirates and Cincinnati Reds preceded the consecutive losses that have allowed the Los Angeles Dodgers to pull two-and-a-half games up on the Giants for first place in the NL West. Now with the next six games against beatable opponents at home, including a three-game set against the lowly Baltimore Orioles, San Francisco will push to remain in the middle of the race for top spot. 

The Match Up: Athletics vs Giants 

Pitching had long been a problem in Oakland until this season where several prospects have put it all together and emerged to reach their potential. One of those players that has helped lift the Athletics’ pitching in to the upper ranks of the league is 24-year old Gio Gonzalez, who has already pitched two scoreless outings this season. Gonzalez takes the mound Friday night, and will have to be at his best to counter San Francisco ace and defending Cy Young award-winner Tim Lincecum, who gets the call for the Giants. 

MLB Betting Pick: Giants