Posted:
#1
96-72 last 22 days
9-7 on double unit plays
4-5 yesterday
Thursday:
Rangers +225 quintuple units
This is my largest play of the year in MLB. Feel that strongly about it with the combination of value, streak building on part of Rangers, hitting woes of the A's and several other things. Martinez on the surface you can say is a gas can and I cannot argue with you. But what I can tell you is that he is not pitching right now like that overall shell of a pitcher. Many times in MLB you have to take gas cans based off their current form in situations such as these.
Martinez is at his absolute worst when he is at home but becomes over 2 full runs better on the road. On top of that he is at his absolute best in day games 3-1 2.81 ERA with only 13 ER allowed in 41 IP. He has only allowed 4-6 hits in 6 straight starts albeit a HR was one of those hits in 4 out of the 6 games. We all know OAK is one of the toughest placest to hit HR's so if he can stop the long ball we could be in even better shape. He has faced the A's twice this season where his has a 1.80 ERA 10 IP and 2 ER holding them to a .235 avg. Collectively the A's are only hitting .194 off him with only 6 hits in 31 AB's with only 2 doubles and no HR's . His last two starts are inspiring to me as he allowed 2 ER to the Angels (gave up 4 runs but 2 Rangers errors cost him the quality start) and 2 ER's the mariners. I think we should see more of this form in his start tomorrow
As far as Gray goes he has been wildly inconsistent. last couple months but also did have some inspiring starts similar to what martinez did in his last couple. But other than that he has given up anywhere from 3-6 ER in the past month and a half or so. He has also been susceptible to the long ball giving up a HR in each of his last 3 starts and 5 total HR's over his last 6. He is at his worst at home where he is allowing a .250 avg but with a somewhat respectable 3.58 ERA and doesnt get much better in day games. After an unbelievable July were two of his worst months of the season where his team went 1-5 behind a 4.40 ERA. However you can see that Gray has a 3-1 record vs Rangers this season behind a 1.82 ERA and holding them to .194 avg. This is a little unsettling and I see Gray pitching ok here but think it may not be enough given the run support issue.
Rangers have won 5 straight and have the chance to sweep back to back series. Last two series where the A's weren't putting hits together and lost the first two games of that series they ended up being swept. I feel the Rangers are hot and on a nice streak and will want to sweep the A's just as bad as the A's want to avoid the sweep. All the other factors I outlined above make me feel very comfortable in this play.
BOL tomorrow fellas
0
I think A's are gonna be fighting an uphill battle getting that wildcard spot with mariners and royals breathing down their necks. 
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