Oakland Athletics (-106) over Texas Rangers
Investment Advice: Please list both Tom Milone and Justin Grimm
Analysis: Oakland southpaw Tom Milone continues to fly under-the-radar with a 3.61 ERA and 1.17 WHIP this season, including a 3.09 ERA and 1.17 WHIP at night and a 2.18 ERA and 0.87 WHIP over his last thee starts. Milone also owns a career 2.50 ERA and 1.22 WHIP versus the Rangers, including allowing no earned runs in six innings of work against Texas last September. Milone is also supported by a very good Oakland bullpen that boasts a 2.84 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in 2013, including a 2.47 ERA and 1.07 WHIP versus division opponents, a 2.72 ERA and 1.12 WHIP at night and a 1.08 ERA and 0.96 WHIP over the last seven games. Milone should have no trouble limiting a scuffling Texas lineup that is batting .261 with a .319 on base percentage this season (4.3 runs per game), including hitting .225 with a .285 on base percentage over the last seven games (2.3 runs per game).
Meanwhile, Texas starter Justin Grimm takes the mound in terrible form as evidenced by his 11.39 ERA and 1.99 WHIP over his last three outings (15 IP; 22 H; 19 ER). Overall, Grimm is 5-5 with a 5.59 ERA and 1.56 WHIP this season, including going 3-5 with a 6.30 ERA and 1.66 WHIP at night (50 IP; 65 H; 35 ER). And, in his lone start against Oakland earlier this year, Grimm allowed five earned runs on seven hits and two walks in five innings pitched (9.00 ERA; 1.80 WHIP). From a technical standpoint, Oakland is a profitable 28-14 (+14.7 units) following a win, 63-33 (+20.4 units) as favorites, 22-11 (+11.7 units) versus division opponents, 30-15 (+16.4 units) at night and 92-61 (+40.2 units) versus right-handed starters, while Milone is 22-9 (+13.9 units) at night and 21-10 (+12.4 units) off a win. With Oakland standing at 50-19 in its last 69 as favorites and 23-8 in their last 31 games overall, take the Athletics and invest with confidence.
