MLB Picks Wednesday 8/3/2016 – OAK vs. LAA

Pick #1 – Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels

The game were focusing our sights on tonight is the Oakland A's (47-59) versus the Los Angeles Angels (48-58) and its a battle between two teams that have been slumping for the most part of the season. This bet gets us excited just on the surface as the savvy money has moved the opening over/under line from 8.5 to 9 giving us a great first impression of where this score is headed. The value of the bet becomes even more evident once we start to breakdown the more finite stats such as the fact that the total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing Oakland. In addition to this particular number the total has gone OVER in 5 of LA Angels's last 5 games when playing at home against Oakland so this is a very favorable situational matchup that we will be happy to take advantage of. When these two teams played their last game which was yesterday the score was 4-5 making it very clear that these two teams are lighting it up when facing each other. The Athletics and Angels both look to make a late season surge and the public consensus seems to feel that both will keep up there hard hitting ways against each other as they have this MLB total spread at a reasonable 55% confidence on the OVER. The Oakland A's produce 4.08 runs this year and the Los Angeles Angels show up with 4.62 runs on average for the season so were getting right where we need to be for the OVER to have a great chance in this simply on averages alone. The park factor reading for this game is not that appealing at -86 but these two teams having been putting up serious runs when faced off against each other and with an additional 4 MPH blowing out to left center we have to think the scoreboard is getting lit up on this one. The weather at The Big A is looking like 69°F, Mostly Sunny, Humidity is 72%, and the Wind is SW 2 mph so very nice conditions for the bats to come alive. Another stat we have to feel solid about that points to the OVER in this contest is the fact that the Angels have very questionable and injured relief staff so if the Athletics can push past J. Weaver (R) they should get a lot of favorable batting matchups late in the game. A final and most important point to this pick is the fact that starting pitcher J. Weaver (R) does poorly at night showcasing a 6.53 ERA after the sun goes down. He also struggles mightily with right handed hitting giving up a .308 batting average to hitters (7/9 RH hitters on A's tonight) which should present problems for him. Also K. Graveman (R) does not fare well on the road this year holding a 5.15 ERA and gets hits by left handed hitters to the tune of a mediocre .253 batting average against right handers (8/9 RH hitters on Angeles). The computer predicted score for this matchup is 8.6 and we have to think it has missed some variables as based on the above the OVER 9 is looking extremely promising in this scenario so lets grab it at that and take home a win.

Game Time:
Oakland Athletics at Los Angeles Angels - Wednesday, August 03, 2016 10:05 PM

Spread:
925 Oakland Athletics +1½ -200 +100
926 Los Angeles Angels -1½ +170 -110

Total:
925 Oakland Athletics Over 9 +100
926 Los Angeles Angels Under 9 -120

Betting odds provided by 5Dimes

The Pick:
OVER 9 (2 Units)

As always bet within your means and bankroll. Enjoy the games and be responsible when betting!

Picks By TexasMatt