Monday night. Texas Rangers +117

NyMets609 · May 2, 2010

bad line here IMO. (good for us). These 2 teams are headed in opposite directions right now. Oaklands injuries are really starting to pile up and it has them scuffling, losing 6 of 8 while Texas has caught fire winning 6 of 8.

Harden has slowly but surely got a little better with each start. Earning his first victory last time out going 6 innings scattering 4 hits and 3 runs. He has 22 strike outs in 23.5 innings, so if he could just limit the walks he could possibly get back to being dominate, he'll return to Oakland where is 18-9 with a 2.95 ERA life time at the Coliseum.

Meanwhile Braden had his worst outing yet last time giving up 6 runs, 8 hits all in 4 innings. After the game he was quoted saying his left foot, which is now permanetly numb, really affected his game...something which could be a huge concern here..maybe causing Oakland to put yet another starter on the DL.

lets get it. :drink:

BIGSHOTMAXXX · May 2, 2010

I see you get alot of info from MLB.com as well....LOL. they are no nonsense, 2 paragraph, straight up information... I always read their starting pitcher report after I think I have my selections narrowed down... sometimes they talk me out of something and most times they confirm my picks.... anyway, see you in about 24 hours when we walk this doggie home!!

Funnyb25 · May 2, 2010

I see this game getting hit hard tomorrow by the public.... one of the few division games, harden is a name the public likes to jump on(not sayin this is a bad bet) this is a line i wouldnt be surprised to see the rangers being the favorite close to the first pitch... so if you do like this play id snag it now... thats just my opinion... good luck

Quest4cash · May 3, 2010

really u think texas might go off favs? hardens stuff is not very good right now. watched him vs the whitesox. he was 88mph on the fastball, breaking stuff wasnt doing anything and his control is well still rich harden control. oakland is not a good hitting team but imo they are patient and will take there walks and be able to get to harden.

Funnyb25 · May 3, 2010

Quest4cash said:
really u think texas might go off favs? hardens stuff is not very good right now. watched him vs the whitesox. he was 88mph on the fastball, breaking stuff wasnt doing anything and his control is well still rich harden control. oakland is not a good hitting team but imo they are patient and will take there walks and be able to get to harden.

i never said harden was any good... what im saying is.... "Harden" is a name that draws the public's attention.... now that line is also relatively close to being even... -125 vs +115 or what not.... and it is a LATE divisional game... now if you are Joe Square Public, and got burned in the early games and want action on the late game, without knowing much about the game who is Joe Public going to bet? Harden or Dallas Braden? Who the hell is Dallas Braden? Thats why i think the rangers COULD go off as the favorite, but i would think the line will definitely go to their favor....so thats why id recommend if you like the rangers to bet it sooner rather than later..

Quest4cash · May 3, 2010

maybe u are right. i locked in on oakland thinking it might move to -140 or so. either way im already in.

Funnyb25 · May 3, 2010

Quest4cash said:
maybe u are right. i locked in on oakland thinking it might move to -140 or so. either way im already in.

it could.... lol.... curious to see where the sharp money will come in on that game...

ItsnotmeItsu · May 3, 2010

Against lefties, Rangers are 3-6. Harden likes Oakland's pitching park, especially at nite with the cool air, their big foul zones get alot of guys out, and this will be his first time back facing his old team. He stated on their team web site that he's looking forward to facing his old team in a park he liked to pitch in. His fast ball is not as fast as it was during his Oakland days and the A's will be ready for a 'more than familiar' pitcher. I'm going with the guy with the better WHIP and looking to see the reason Harden was traded in the first place. OAK -124

NYMet....I noticed the same comments are on MLB.com, Fanhouse, A's website preview, and SI.com..... they're all plagiarising each other lol (unless Kate Hedlin is moonlighting at each site???).

LockedampLoaded · May 3, 2010

treece · May 3, 2010

Harden is going to dominate.

Mlink · May 3, 2010

ahhhhhh going with the A's here, braden is unhittable at home

daviddaman2 · May 3, 2010

Not a big Harden fan at all, i've been fading him for the last 2 or 3 seasons with pretty damn good success. He has no control at all and hasn't for a while. If he hasn't fixed that problem this late in his career I have my doubts as to if he ever will. I lean Oakland.

tommyjohn44 · May 3, 2010

As a Rangers fan I would strongly suggest staying away from them tonight. Harden is getting marginally better in each start...but that's a very relative term as he's yet to have a true quality start (and I don't consider the last one quality because of the walks). Also, the Rangers don't hit lefties well and they often struggle out in Oakland. The one saving grace for the Rangers is that the bullpen will be fairly fresh despite 2 extra inning games after a couple quality starts up in Seattle. Unfortunately, I don't think they are big fans of Harden because he has them warming up early every time he's on the hill.

Stay away from this one or a small play on the A's.

MemphisMonroe · May 3, 2010

This is always why i wait to grab a dog. Got a better number now.
:dancefool

Just gotta decide if i want to play it.lol

NyMets609 · May 3, 2010

Funnyb25 said:
I see this game getting hit hard tomorrow by the public.... one of the few division games, harden is a name the public likes to jump on(not sayin this is a bad bet) this is a line i wouldnt be surprised to see the rangers being the favorite close to the first pitch... so if you do like this play id snag it now... thats just my opinion... good luck

don't believe the public likes to back Harden anymore and is not viewed as an ace anymore because of his recent struggles. If anything they are going to fade him. Have to respectfully disagree with that one.

NyMets609 · May 3, 2010

evidence what I just said above ^^^ line is up to +125

NyMets609 · May 3, 2010

I have watched the A's very closely all year. This team is really down in the dumps right now. Between injuries and all the recent losing, it has taken its toll on them and they are playing like it on the field too. It's early but they are really beaten up right now. Even if Harden struggles and Braden has a quality start I just see momentum carrying Texas to a W, especially the way they just pulled out their last 2 wins...that really can make a team go into a big hot streak.

anavarra · May 3, 2010

How about the fact that Oak has been on the East Coast for the past week?! they played in toronto yesterday, coming back and playing a 705 pst game tonite!

NyMets609 · May 3, 2010

damn! Harden is DEALING. still hasn't given up a hit and has 7 strike outs through 4.

prob just jinxed him tho, lol.

YouMyBoy · May 3, 2010

I wish I didn't even bet this game. With my research I loved Oakland but somehow I didn't really notice how hot Texas has been lately and how cold Oakland has been. That doesn't mean everything though I mean a team has to turn around sometime, but it def. does change things. I'm on the A's, hoping they can pull it off