Game-day:  6/9/2009
 
First-pitch:  10:05 pm est.
 
By D.S. Williamson
 
The Minnesota Twins entered Oakland as the favorites on Monday night but couldn’t get out of Oakland with a victory.  On Tuesday night, the Twins look to even their series against the Athletics when they send pitcher Scott Baker to the mound.  Baker hasn’t been that effective in 2009 compiling a record of 3 and 6 with a 5.88 ERA and a WHIP of 1.24.  The WHIP is very good.  That tells me that Baker’s usually not receiving the run support he needs in many of his games.
 
The A’s counter Baker with pitcher Brett Anderson.  Anderson hasn’t done much better in 2009 than Baker with a record of 3 and 5, an ERA of 4.97 and a WHIP of 1.44.
 
Here is the BetUS online sportsbook betting line for this game.
 
Minnesota Twins
Scott Baker – R                     -1 ½ +145        -115     O 8 ½ -105      O/U 4 -115
 
Oakland Athletics
Brett Anderson – L                +1 ½ -165        -105     U 8 ½ -115      O/U 4 -110/-120
 
Here are a few online wagering trends for this game.
 
The Minnesota Twins are 4 and 0 in their last 4 games when Scott Baker is the favorite.
 
The Minnesota Twins are 6 and 22 in their last 28 games on grass.
 
The Oakland Athletics are 7 and 0 in their last 7 games overall.
 
The Oakland Athletics are 2 and 6 in Brett Anderson’s last 8 starts as an underdog.
 
 
Scott Baker has been very good against the Athletics in his career with a record of 3 and 0 and an ERA of 3.18.  That makes Baker a good wager in this game on the run line, but I believe that there is a better wager in this game.
 
The BetUS Total runs has gone from 8 to 8 ½ in a few short hours.  What that tells me is that some money is going on the over but I’m not ready to make that bet.
 
In fact, I believe that the best wager in this game is to go opposite that and put it on the under. Why?  Because Baker should only give up 3 runs while the Athletics no doubt will give up 3 to 4.
 
How do I know this?  The Twins have been awful on the road lately.  They’ve lost 14 out of 17 and are averaging less than 3 runs a game.  They’ve scored a total of 16 runs in their last 7 games.
 
Brett Anderson for Oakland has gone 3 and 1 in his last four games with an ERA of 3.52.  Two good WHIPS from two good pitchers means that not a lot of base runners get on board.
 
I see this game going under the total of 8 ½ in the sportsbook.