TOM STRYKER’S FREE BASEBALL SELECTION MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 14TH
#965 OAKLAND with Luzardo (-143) over Seattle with Gonzales at 5:10 PM EST
Off a loss to the Rangers on Sunday, look for the A’s to hammer the M’s in the first-game of Monday’s doubleheader. Oakland’s lead in the AL West rests at 6.5-games over Houston and 8.0 over Seattle and they will have no trouble extending that margin in this contest.
Southpaw Jesus Luzardo will be on the hill for the Athletics. In his last three starts against Houston, San Diego and Texas, No. 44 was nipped for only nine earned runs and 17 hits in 18.1 innings. Luzardo whiffed 18 and walked nine on his way to an 0-2 tally with a 4.42 ERA. Overall, Jesus has surrenderd only 20 earned runs and 43 hits in 45.1 frames. Luzardo holds a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 45-14 and carries a 2-2 mark with a respectable 3.97 ERA.
On the mound for the home team will be left-hander Marco Gonzales. Matched up against the Rangers, Angels and Padres in his last three starts, No. 7 has been right on the money giving up just six earned runs and 17 hits in 21.0 innings. Gonzales fanned 20 and walked one on his way to a 3-0 record with a strong 2.57 ERA. With eight starts in the bank this year, Marco has been touched for 17 earned runs and 40 hits in 50.7 frames. That’s good enough for a 5-2 tally with a 3.02 ERA.
With both arms are solid in this division battle, the trends and angles will be the key to this payday. Oakland has won 44 of its last 56 against a left-handed starter, 42 of its last 59 against AL West foes and 61 of its last 87 as a favorite. On the other side of the yard, Seattle has fallen in 42 of its last 61 against southpaws and 40 of its last 52 when facing a foe that owns a team won/loss percentage greater than .600.
The A’s have dominated division foes this year winning 23 of their last 34 and, off the loss on Sunday, they’ll get back on track with a solid effort in the first game of this doubleheader. Take Oakland with Luzardo. Thanks and best of luck, Tom.
TOM STRYKER’S 18-4 ATS NFL MONDAY NIGHT SMASH
Stryker nailed his lone 4* Late Phone Service selection in the NFL on Sunday cashing easily with Baltimore (WON 38-6) and he’s prepared to pop another Best Bet on Monday night. This key play is backed by two quality database situations that hold big money marks of 18-4 ATS and 22-6 ATS. Grab Tom’s NFL Monday Night Smash for $30.