3% Take Oakland (#976) (action)

The A’s started 1-7 this season.  They’re 15-10 since, including a 7-1 run in their last eight ballgames, despite being priced as underdogs in 22 of those 25 contests. The A’s bullpen has been pitching at a truly elite level; #2 in MLB in bullpen ERA behind only the Yankees.  Oakland’s lineup is in solid current form: averaging five runs per game during their current five game winning streak.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay, talking about the fact that they have a chance to get to .500 today for the first time since opening day: “We're not getting wrapped up in the overall record. We're just going out to prepare to win each game. That's the focus of the team -- preparation every day just to get better."  This is an ‘action’ wager based on team current form, but it’s surely worth noting that A’s starter Paul Blackburn has allowed a grand total of three runs in 19 innings of work at the Coliseum this year.

Miami just traded away their best hitter, leadoff sparkplug Luis Arraez, to San Diego for prospects, a demoralizing move for their clubhouse.  Manager Skip Schumaker: "The initial shock factor is definitely real.  We'll see if it goes away in a couple of days….. But when a guy like that is potentially traded, you feel it." It’s surely worth noting that the Marlins are just 1-8 in Games 1 and 2 of their road series this season, struggling mightily on the highway, and they’re just 3-8 overall in their last 11 ballgames (all three wins coming against lowly Colorado).  Take the A’s

Line Parameter: 3% at -140 or lower, 2% at -141 or higher