OAKLAND ATHLETICS @ CLEVELAND INDIANS
Baseball : United States : MLB Regular Season
Thursday, August 26th 2010 - Start 7:05PM ET
(12:05AM GMT)

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OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Oakland were doing well in their last home stand and that form hasn't dropped off on the road. In their last 21 games, they have allowed 3 runs or less on 15 occasions, with no opponent ever going past 5 runs. The teams ERA is 3.48, which is the best in the AL. Tonight, they can build on that solid pitching with the superior pitcher.

Vin Mazzaro goes for Oakland tonight and he comes into this off 4 quality starts in a row. In his last 11 games, 10 have been excellent and he has a 2.76ERA, which means his current form is not just good, but consistent as well.

On the road Mazzaro has a 3.88ERA, which is skewed a bit by 1 very bad game. In fact, 6 of his 8 road starts have been very impressive. He has already faced the Indians in Cleveland once this season, giving up just 1 run in 7.1 innings of work.

CLEVELAND INDIANS

The Indians really are having a tough time of late. They are lagging well behind a winning record, by 26 games actually, and are 9 games under a .500 record at home too, so being in Ohio isn't going to be much of an advantage. Run scoring is proving to be very difficult for Cleveland and with the pitcher they're set to face I think that will continue. In their 5 game losing streak they have been held to 1 run or less on 4 occasions, with their total in this span a miserable 4 runs. Cleveland are 3-13 in their last 16, scoring 3 or fewer on 10 occasions.

Justin Masterson is the man the Indians will turn to tonight, and unfortunately he's not doing well this season either. He's started for the Indians 25 times, and has a 5.33ERA. Cleveland went 8-17 in his games, which is not promising.

Masterson has faced Oakland as a starter twice in his career, and his record reads 0-2 with a 13.50ERA and 2.75WHIP! It looks like it'll be a long night for him.

BETTING VERDICT

Cleveland are right in the middle of a messy slump and Oakland will take full advantage and get the win.

The Pick :

Oakland wins

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take the Oakland Athletics @ 1.87 (Pinnacle) - MAIN BET