Oakland Athletics odds – GM Beane shows off some new tricks
It’s tough to get a fix on Oakland Athletics odds after a strange offseason by General Manager Billy Beane. Beane, no stranger to outside-the-box thinking, outdid himself this year, reeling in a handful of unwanted veterans who have achieved great things in the past. Will it be enough to lift some tough Oakland A’s odds, or will the team settle for another non-playoff season?
Oakland Athletics odds: +3000 to win the World Series
- Veterans add stability to lineup
- Holliday must produce away from Coors
- Pitching staff must develop, stay healthy
If you’re planning to bet on Oakland A’s sports betting lines this season, you need to have some serious faith in a couple of aging vets. Jason Giambi, Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciparra were all acquired this offseason, and all have seen better days. Obviously, Beane thinks they’re capable of recreating a bit of their old magic.
There’s no question those signings improve the lineup—Oakland Athletics betting fans can count on more runs this season—but by how much, nobody knows. Certainly, the anchor will be former Rockie Matt Holliday. Holliday brings a very impressive resume to California, but he’s been labeled by many as a product of the thin Colorado air. Holliday is instantly Oakland’s best hitter, but expecting him to put up numbers like his 2007 season, when he smacked 36 homers and 137 RBIs, is simply unrealistic.
Regardless, run production needs to get better after a brutal 2008 campaign if A’s odds are going to be worth betting. The team finished dead-last in scoring among American League teams last season.
As usual, Beane has stocked his rotation with young arms that have the potential to break out. Of course, those players could just as easily fall on their faces. Justin Duchscherer is the best Oakland has to offer at the moment after producing a 2.54 ERA in 22 starts last season. However, he’s an injury waiting to happen, so don’t count on a full slate from Duchscherer if you’re going to bet the A’s.
Oakland A’s betting fans might want to keep an eye on Joey Devine, though. The reliever was positively brilliant in 45.2 innings of work last season, posting a 0.59 ERA and 0.83 WHIP. Yes, you just read those numbers correctly. Devine also fanned 49 batters. He’s also had injury issues, though, which seems to be a reoccurring theme among Oakland’s staff.
MLB odds aren’t that favorable to the Athletics, but there is reason for optimism. It’s not a stretch to assume Oakland will improve with the new bats, not to mention last year’s AL West Division winner, the Angels, have regressed. If some of the young arms come through and Oakland gets some good breaks, it could find itself in the division mix.
For Oakland Athletics odds and other MLB lines and stats, take a look at the BetOnline.com Sportsbook.
Before his arm flamed out, Dale “Skip” Lalonde was famous for his high-90s heat and power at the plate. He retired young but never turned his back on baseball, earning the nickname “Skip” for his high-school coaching prowess. A true student of the game, he loves crunching the numbers when he handicaps baseball. Email Comments@BetOnline.com.
