The Oakland Athletics (19-57) finish out a 3-game series against the Cleveland Guardians (35-38) on Thursday at Progressive Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Athletics vs. Guardians odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Guardians lead 4-1
The Athletics lost 7-6 to the Guardians on Wednesday, extending their losing streak to 7 games. Oakland has the worst record in baseball and is 18 games behind the 4th-place Seattle Mariners in the AL West.
In Wednesday’s 1-run victory, 3B Jose Ramirez and 1B Josh Naylor combined to supply 7 hits, including Naylor’s 9th HR of the season. Cleveland has won 3 games in a row and is only 1 game back of the Minnesota Twins atop the AL Central.
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Athletics at Guardians projected starters
LHP JP Sears vs. LHP Logan Allen
Sears (1-4, 4.24 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 1.06 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 8.5 K/9 in 76 1/3 innings.
- Has surrendered at least 1 HR in 11 of his 14 starts and is tied for the 6th-most HRs allowed (17) this season
- April 4 vs. Guardians: 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 ER, 1 BB, 5 K and no-decision in 4-3 win
Allen (3-2, 3.95 ERA) makes his 11th start. He has a 1.46 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 8.7 K/9 in 54 2/3 innings.
- After giving up 3 ER or fewer in his 1st 8 starts, has allowed 10 ER, 13 H with 6 BB and 6 K in 9 IP in his last 2 starts
- Guardians are 7-3 in Allen’s 10 starts
Athletics at Guardians odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 8:55 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Athletics +150 (bet $100 to win $150) | Guardians -185 (bet $185 to win $100)
- Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Athletics +1.5 (-135) | Guardians -1.5 (+110)
- Over/Under (O/U): 8 (O: +100 | U: -120)
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Athletics at Guardians picks and predictions
Prediction
Guardians 6, Athletics 3
Moneyline
The Guardians should be able to extend their winning streak to 4 games on Thursday against the Athletics. That being said, wagering on Cleveland’s moneyline at the current odds (-185) isn’t advised. PASS.
Run line/Against the spread
GUARDIANS -1.5 (+110) has solid value with the Athletics being the worst team in baseball. Allen has sputtered in recent starts, but the Athletics have the worst wOBA (.236) and wRC+ (53) against left-handed pitching since the start of June.
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Over/Under
With the Guardians coming off a 7-run performance on Wednesday, OVER 8 (+100) is an enticing bet. Despite Oakland’s woes against southpaws, Cleveland owns the 8th-best wRC+ (113) against left-handed pitching since the beginning of June.
The Over is 5-2 in the last 7 meetings in Cleveland and 5-1-1 in the last 7 meetings overall.
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