Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants: MLB Over/Under Picks
Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants
Over/Under: 8.5
First pitch: 9:45 p.m. ET
Probable pitchers: Frankie Montas (2-0, 1.57 ERA) vs. Johnny Cueto (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants Predictions
Coming into the season, many probably wondered if Montas was for real. After all, during his breakout showing of a year ago, the burly Dominican right-hander was tagged with a suspension for PEDs.
Not me, of course. Declared a Zylbert Guy in the very beginning of his career with the Chicago White Sox, Montas is showing that he is indeed legit — and even has the hardware to prove it after being named the American League Player of the Week.
Montas was rewarded after hurling a pair of seven-inning gems in which he yielded only six hits and one run combined. His 14 K’s within that span also stood out as well.
Given he was out to a nice start to the campaign before that, it’s a good bet to ride Montas in his current rhythm, especially while he’s dealing hot. And tonight he draws an opponent across the Bay that has cooled off recently at the plate. The Giants plated just 3.4 runs per game in their last nine contests, and getting to work from perhaps the friendliest Park for pitchers, Oracle Park, can certainly only help out Montas’ cause.
Of course, it will take more than another sensational effort from Montas to deliver an under. That’s where Cueto can come in with a satisfactory outing to do the rest.
At this stage in his career, Johnny Beisbol obviously isn’t the same dependable stalwart ace that he was for years as a Cincinnati Red. His velocity has been down for awhile since that time period. However, Cueto still knows how to get by and survive en route to eating up innings, which is exactly what we’re trying for here.
Pinpointing the once-perennial National League Cy Young candidate in the right spot is how that is done. Catching Cueto at home, like he is this evening, makes a difference, as evident in the 15-10 record and 3.64 ERA he’s recorded in his 39 career assignments in San Francisco.
Yes, Oakland features a dangerous bunch. But the one time Cueto faced them as a Giant, which came against a fairly similar lineup, the 13-year veteran held his own in pitching his club into the eighth inning and giving up four runs. Anything close to that would be gladly welcomed.
Friday's MLB Leans
NYM/PHI Under 8.5
SD/ARI Under 8.5
2020 MLB Over/Under Betting Record*: 5-14-2, -11.05 units
Yesterday’s Result: Nationals-Mets Under 9 (“loss”)
*Each bet graded as if it were to win 1 unit