Larry's MLB Ultimate Underdog (3rd TY / 3-0?)
- Handicapper
- Larry Ness
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Toronto Blue Jays vs Oakland Athletics
- Time
- 05/06/2021 03:37 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Oakland Athletics +125
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Loss
- Analysis
- My 98 Ultimate Underdog is on the Oak A's at 3:37 ET.
MLB 2020's expanded playoff field allowed the 32-28 Blue Jays to snap a three-year playoff drought but the Jays were eliminated 2-0 (lost 3-1 and 8-2) quickly by the Rays. Toronto has had to play its 'home games' at the teams spring training facility in Dunedin, Fl and currently sits at 15-14 as the Jays conclude this four-game series in Oakland. The A's began the current season 0-6 and after splitting their next two games, ripped off 13 consecutive wins to reach 14-7. The A's won the first two games of this four-game set with Toronto, before falling 9-4 on Wednesday. The A's are currently 19-13 (just 5-6 their last 11) but own MLB's best record at 19-13.
The Blue Jays get their ace back on the mound when they try to gain a split of a four-game series against the Oakland Athletics on Thursday afternoon. Hyun Jin Ryu (1-2, 2.60 ERA) is scheduled to come off the injured list and get the start. He went on the IL on April 26 with a glute strain. This will be his sixth start of the season (team is 3-2), after he had a terrific first season with Toronto in 2020. He was 5-2 with a 2.69 ERA in 12 starts (Jays were 9-3).
Mike Fiers (0-1, 4.50 ERA) started the season on the 10-day injured list with a lumbar strain. He was reinstated on April 26 and made his first start of 2021 last Friday, a 3-2 home loss to Baltimore. He allowed three runs, six hits and two walks in six innings. However, here's the bottom line. Since joining Oakland in August of 2018 (from Detroit), Fiers has made 55 regular season starts for the A's, who have gone 39-16 (.709) in those contests! That includes the team going 23-5 (.821) in his 28 home starts! What's more, the A's were 11-3 vs left-handers last season and have opened 9-3 against them in 2020. Ryu is a tough opponent but I'm 'barking' with this home dog.
Good luck...Larry
