Rays-Athletics Odds Preview

The Tampa Bay Rays and the Oakland Athletics will both be trying to pick up a win on Saturday when they battle at Oakland Coliseum. The Rays will pin their hopes on the pitching of righthander Matt Garza in this game. Garza has a 1-1 record and a 4.58 ERA this season. Garza's opponent in this one will be Dallas Braden. The Athletics lefthander has a 2.79 ERA to go along with a 1-2 record this season. Oddsmakers currently have the Rays listed as 130-moneyline favorites versus the Athletics, while the game's total has not yet been posted. Carlos Pena belted two home runs in leading the Rays to a 8-2 win over the A's in the opener of a three-game series, as -130 favorites. That game's 10 runs made it OVER the posted over/under (8). Pena went 2-for-5 at the plate with four RBIs for the Rays. Scott Kazmir went six innings on the mound for the win, allowing just two hits in collecting his third victory. Jack Hanrahan homered in a losing effort for the A's, who were +110 underdogs. Trevor Cahill gave up eight hits and seven runs in under three innings in the loss. Current streak: Oakland has lost 5 straight games. Team records: Tampa Bay: 7-10 SU Oakland: 5-10 SU Tampa Bay most recently: When playing on Saturday are 6-4 Before playing Oakland are 5-5 After playing Oakland are 6-4 After a win are 3-7 Oakland most recently: When playing on Saturday are 3-7 Before playing Tampa Bay are 2-8 After playing Tampa Bay are 4-6 After a loss are 3-7 A few trends to consider: Tampa Bay is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games when playing Oakland Tampa Bay is 6-2 SU in its last 8 games when playing on the road against Oakland Tampa Bay is 3-7 SU in its last 10 games Oakland is 2-5 SU in its last 7 games at home Oakland is 2-6 SU in its last 8 games when playing at home against Tampa Bay Oakland is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games when playing Tampa Bay Oakland is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games Next up: Oakland home to Tampa Bay, Sunday, April 26