Starting pitchers for tonight’s game is Ben Sheets for the A’s who is 2-3 with and ERA of 5.04 with 45 Ks and 28 Walks and it’s Dontrelle Willis who is 1-2 with an ERA of 4.97 with 28 Ks and 25 Walks. The Athletics hope Sheets can rebound tonight, as he is coming back from elbow surgery and seems to be improving. He missed all of 2009 with surgery and in the off season signed a 10 million dollar one year deal with the A’s. Sheet’s has not pitched against the Tiger since 2007. On the other hand the Tiger hope their 30 year old pitcher Willis can make a recovery also tonight.

The A’s are on a 10 game road schedule that takes them to three cities after they won two for three at Baltimore where they started the trip. Presently the A’s who are 7-14 on the road are behind The Rangers by a 1 ½ games in the West.

The Athletics are 7-14 this 2010 season in the away games, while the Tigers are a strong 14-6 while playing on their home field. With that said, it appears that this is still a close game and but it appears that the Tigers have a 55 % chance of winning this matchup. Will this have a negative effect on the MLB Betting lines or MLB odds for this series game?
The Athletics and the Tigers Stats:
The A’s are: 25-23 SU
The Tigers are: 25-21 SU
The A’s lately:
While playing Friday’s they are 2-8
Before they played the Tigers they were 3-7
After they played the Orioles they are 6-4
After their last win they are 6-4

The Tigers lately:
While playing Friday’s they are 5-5
Before they played the A’s they were 7-3
After they played Seattle they are 4-6
After their last loss they are 6-4
The Next Game:
The Tigers at home vs. the Athletics, on Saturday, May 29

Our Odds Makers have the lines at present for the YANKEES at -1 ½ (+145) and the TWINS at +1 ½ (-165) and the Total – Over 9 (-105) and under 9 (-115) and the YANKEES are -105 and the TWINS are -105 on the Money Line.

The Starting pitchers will be Barry Zito for the Athletics who is 6-1 with an ERA of 2.15 and for the Giants it will be Trevor Cahill, is 1-2 with and ERA of 4.37. Zito was a very expensive investment for the A’s and it appears now in his fourth season theirs a possibility that the investment will return some favors. Unfortunately his worst performances since leaving the Giants team, has been when he has started against the Giants.

The Athletics should be the favorites as they are at home and their record there is 15-9 so far this MLB season, while the Giants on the road are at 9-10 thus far. These stats tend to give the A’s and the Giants both a 45- 55 % for taking this match-up , so it’s a toss, and will certainly make for a change for MLB betting fans as well as movement for the MLB Odds in place.
The Giants and the Athletics Stats:
The Giants are: 22-18 SU
The Athletics are: 20-22 SU
The Giants lately:
While playing Friday’s they are 6-4
Before they played the Athletics they were 5-5
After they played the Diamondbacks they are 6-4
After their last loss they are 6-4

The Athletics lately:
While playing Friday’s they are 2-8
Before they played the Giants they were 5-5
After they played the Tigers they are 3-7
After their last loss they are 4-6
The Next Game is:
Athletics at home vs. the Giants, on Saturday, May 22

MLB Odds Makers have the lines at present for the Giants at -1 ½ (+150) and the A’s at +1 ½ (-170) and the Total – Over 7 ½ (-105) and Under 7 ½ (-115) and the Giants are -107 and the A’s are -103 on the Money Line.

The Athletics hope Dallas Braden (3-0, 2.77 ERA) can cool off the Rays bats and continue his success against the Rays. Braden is 3-1 with a 3.86 ERA in five starts against the Rays, including 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in three at Tropicana Field. The Athletics need a victory to guarantee a winning month of April for the first time since 2008 and only the second time in the past seven seasons.

Though the Rays James Shields (2-0, 3.96) hasn’t been as consistent as Braden through four starts, he’ll try for a third consecutive win when he takes the ball in this contest. Let’s see if the Ray’s can continue their streak tonight in Tampa!
Present win streak:
The Rays have won 3 straight games.
The Athletics and Rays Stats:
The Athletics: 12-9 SU
The Rays: 15-5 SU
The Athletics lately:
While playing Wednesday’s they are 3-7
Before playing Toronto they were 4-6
After playing the Rays they are 6-4
After a loss they are now 5-5

The Rays lately:
While playing Wednesday’s they are 5-5
Before playing the Athletics they were 6-4
After playing the Athletics they are 4-6
After a win they are now 8-2
Next Game:
The Rays at home vs Kansas City, Thursday, April 29
The Rays are 6-4 at home this season and the Athletics are 3-4 on the road this season. This is a close match-up with both teams having a 45 to 55 percent chance of winning.

The Odds Makers have the lines at present for the Rays -1 ½ (+130) and the Athletics +1 ½(-150) and the Total – Over 8 1/2 (-105) the Under 8 1/2 (-115) and the Rays are -158 and the Athletics are +148 on the Money Line.

Even though the A’s (6-4) have lost two in a row, they’ve won six straight at home over the Orioles.

Starting pitchers are: for the Orioles , David Hernandez (0-1) and for the Athletics Ben Sheets (0-0). Despite their recent home success over the Orioles, the A’s could have a hard time getting the best of Orioles scheduled starter Hernandez. The right-hander gave up two runs in six innings of a 3-0 loss to Toronto on Saturday.

Orioles look for turnaround on Robinson Day- As all of baseball wears No. 42 on Thursday to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day!
Present streak:
Orioles have lost 6 straight games.
Athletics have lost 2 straight games.
Team Stats :
Orioles: 1-8 SU
Athletics: 6-4 SU
The Orioles more recently:
While playing on Thursday’s they are 4-6
Before playing the Athletics they were 1-9
After playing Tampa Bay they are 3-7
After a loss they are 2-8

The Athletics more recently:
While playing on Thursday’s they are 5-5
Before playing the Orioles they were 8-2
After playing Seattle they are 5-5
After a loss they are 3-7
Next up:
The Athletics at home with the Orioles, Friday, April 16