The Arizona Diamondbacks look to get back on the winning track after losing a inter league series at home to the Kansas City Royals over this past weekend. Arizona will send ace RHP Brandon Webb (11-2, 2.73 ERA) to the mound against the Oakland Athletics who will counter with RHP Justin Duchscherer (6-4, 2.20 ERA). MLB Betting oddsmakers at SportsBetting.com have installed the Diamondbacks 142-moneyline favorites with a 7.5 run total.
Brandon Webb did not have his best stuff in his last outing against the Mets. He was removed after allowing three runs over five innings. Webb was struck on the right hip by a line drive off the bat of Carlos Delgado in the fourth inning, but manager Bob Melvin said the reason Webb was taken out after throwing just 58 pitches was because he wanted to give him a break after all the innings he has thrown this year. It was the first time that Webb did not get a decision this year. It snapped a two-start winning streak which saw him compile a 0.56 ERA.
For the eighth time in 10 starting assignments, Duchscherer allowed two runs or fewer in his last start. He pitched seven strong innings against a fierce Yankees lineup, surrendering just one run on five hits while walking one and striking out four — his lone mistake being a home run off the bat of Jason Giambi. It was the sixth time he pitched at least six innings and the ninth time he walked two batters or fewer. Duchscherer has only faced Arizona once in his career, and it came as a relief pitcher. In one inning, he allowed a run on two hits.
The Athletics defeated San Francisco 5-3 as a -120 favorite on Sunday. The eight runs scored caused this game to be a PUSH on the posted over/under total (8).
Eric Chavez was 3-4 with a pair of RBI for Oakland, while Dana Eveland earned the win after allowing one run on six hits over six 2-3 innings.
The Diamondbacks lost to Kansas City 8-3 as a -145 favorite on Sunday. The 11 runs scored went OVER the posted over/under total (8.5).
Mark Reynolds scored a pair of runs for Arizona, while Micah Owings was roughed up for seven runs on eight hits in five 1-3 innings to take the loss.
Point-Spreads.com MLB Betting Pick: Diamondbacks -142
