PREMIUM
AAA's 10* A.L. WILD CARD BEATDOWN *A's/Royals* (Lester/Shields!)
(MLB) Oakland vs. Kansas City,
Money Line: -103.00 Oakland (Away)
Result: Loss
Money Line: -103.00 Oakland (Away)
Result: Loss
This is a 10* WILD CARD BEATDOWN on the Oakland Athletics.
A's manger Billy Beane traded slugger Yoenis Cespidis for Jon Lester for one reason; the playoffs. While Oakland struggled down the stretch, it finally got to where it wanted and I believe with what is the superior starter backing it on the hill today, will find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. For the most part these teams are very similar; the offenses are pretty much the same and each has a commanding bullpen. However, one big difference between the clubs is Playoff experience: the Royals have been cellar dwellers for so long, even making it to this one game playoff is a huge accomplishment; for the A's, a loss would be considered a failure. Both starters have been great, and each has plenty of post-season experience. James Shields for the Royals owns a 2.31 ERA in September, while Lester has gone 6-4 with a tiny 2.35 ERA in 11 starts since coming over from Boston. I'm going to give the slight nod to Lester in this match-up though, he was 2-0 with a minuscule 0.59 ERA in two games vs. St. Louis in the World Series last year and was 3-0 with a very respectable 2.61 ERA vs. Kansas City this season. MLB handicapping is primarily about "starting pitching" and that's doubly so when it comes to the Playoffs. As mentioned earlier, I like Lester in this matchup and for me, that's more than enough reason to back the visitors; play on OAKLAND.
AAA Sports
A's manger Billy Beane traded slugger Yoenis Cespidis for Jon Lester for one reason; the playoffs. While Oakland struggled down the stretch, it finally got to where it wanted and I believe with what is the superior starter backing it on the hill today, will find a way to get the job done at the end of the night. For the most part these teams are very similar; the offenses are pretty much the same and each has a commanding bullpen. However, one big difference between the clubs is Playoff experience: the Royals have been cellar dwellers for so long, even making it to this one game playoff is a huge accomplishment; for the A's, a loss would be considered a failure. Both starters have been great, and each has plenty of post-season experience. James Shields for the Royals owns a 2.31 ERA in September, while Lester has gone 6-4 with a tiny 2.35 ERA in 11 starts since coming over from Boston. I'm going to give the slight nod to Lester in this match-up though, he was 2-0 with a minuscule 0.59 ERA in two games vs. St. Louis in the World Series last year and was 3-0 with a very respectable 2.61 ERA vs. Kansas City this season. MLB handicapping is primarily about "starting pitching" and that's doubly so when it comes to the Playoffs. As mentioned earlier, I like Lester in this matchup and for me, that's more than enough reason to back the visitors; play on OAKLAND.
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