MLB Odds: Struggling A's Host Slumping Reds

Two squads that have each dropped seven of their last 10 games hook up Monday in Oakland for the start of a three-game series when the Athletics host Joey Votto and the Cincinnati Reds.

The Cincinnati Reds meet the Oakland Athletics in a three-game interleague series beginning on Monday night at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Pick your poison.

Both the Reds (37-33, +2.53 units) and the Athletics (34-37, -1.16 units) are among the coldest teams on the baseball betting odds board after getting off to promising starts.



With its 1-0 loss as -120 favorites at Seattle on Sunday afternoon, Cincinnati has lost eight of its last 10 and 10 of its last 14 games against the money line. In getting swept by the Mariners over the weekend, the Reds’ offense managed to squeak out only one run.

Oakland (+100) edged St. Louis 3-2 to close out a three-game set with the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon, snapping a four-game losing skid. While the immediate returns are better for A’s backers, Oakland is doing worse over the medium term.

After dropping two of three to the Cards, the A’s are 7-14 against the money line in their last 21 games, and are 2-7 to begin the latest stretch of interleague play. All nine of those baseball games – against the Giants, Cubs, and Cardinals – have been on the road.

Given the state of affairs among the two teams, Oakland’s return to the Coliseum makes them the sharp play when it takes on Cincy, however. The A’s are 16th on the MLB money list this season, but they’re the fourth most profitable moneyline wager at home. Oakland comes into the week at 21-13 at the Coliseum, up +7.86 units for bettors.

The A’s pitching staff benefits from the club’s cavernous multipurpose stadium, and that’s the difference this week. Oakland is 15th in baseball with a 4.05 team ERA, but it’s put up a sparkling 2.90 ERA at home this season.

Bank on that against the Reds, who rank fifth in hitting (.274) and third in home runs (83) and team OPS (.785). Especially with Cincinnati playing away from the bandbox that is Great American Ballpark.

Yes, the teams have something to do with it, but the stadium’s dimensions and the way it plays matters. The Coliseum is 29th with a .655 ballpark OPS, while Great American (.805) is second in baseball.

Throw in the way the Reds swung the bats over the weekend against the M’s, and you have to like the A’s in this three-gamer.

Oddsmakers opened Oakland as -120 money line chalk for Monday night’s opener (10:05 p.m. ET), and it was available at that number as of press. Cincy was priced at +100 at the outset, but it could be had at +115 at one sportsbook on early Monday morning.

The total is set at eight, and if you’re skeptical of either team (and you’d have plenty of ammunition if you are), the ‘under’ is your best bet. The A’s are 3-9 O/U in their last 12 games at the Coliseum, and are 3-7-1 O/U in their last 11 games as a fave.

Gio Gonzalez (6-5, 4.21 ERA) takes the ball for the A’s on Monday night, while the Reds turn to the upstart Mike Leake (5-1, 3.02 ERA).

Gonzalez’s overall numbers aren’t dazzling, but true to Oakland form, he’s been excellent at home this season. The lefthander has a 2.90 ERA at the Coliseum.
Leake is one of the best rookie arms in the National League, but he’s slowed down lately after going undefeated in his first 12 big league outings. The righthander has a 5.19 ERA in his last three starts.

The Reds’ best chance to cash comes in Tuesday night's (10:05 p.m. ET) matchup with Bronson Arroyo (6-3, 4.53 ERA) matching up with Dallas Braden (4-6, 3.78 ERA).

Braden allowed only one run over six innings in the Athletics’ 3-2 loss as +120 underdogs to the Cubs last Thursday, but it wasn’t enough. That’s been a common theme for the Stockton, California native. Since Braden tossed his perfect game against Tampa Bay on May 9, Oakland is winless in his seven trips to the mound.

Vin Mazzaro (2-1, 5.22 ERA) goes for the A’s in Wednesday afternoon’s getaway game (3:35 p.m. ET). The highly touted righty is the poster boy for Oakland’s home/road splits: Mazzaro is allowing opposing batters to hit .368 on the road, but only .240 at home.

Cincinnati counters with Johnny Cueto (6-2, 4.30 ERA) on Wednesday. Cueto has a 6.00 ERA in daytime starts this season.