Free MLB Picks and Lines: Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics Odds, Total and Predictions 4/1/11

Free MLB Picks and Lines: Seattle Mariners at Oakland Athletics Odds, Total and Predictions 4/1/11: Two American League West teams will square off in the season opener for both squads Friday. The expectations for both teams couldn’t be more different with the A’s projected to compete for the division crown and the Mariners picked to be among the worst teams in baseball. That being said, one game is not an entire season, and the Mariners have defending AL Cy Young winner Felix Hernandez on the mound.

The Athletics are sending an ace pitcher to the mound as well in Trevor Cahill, but there is no question that King Felix is the top dog in this matchup. Couple that with the fact that the Mariners are the +105 underdog in this matchup from the vegas oddsmakers, and bettors might want to throw a little money at Seattle in this one.

The oddsmakers may have the A’s as the biggest threat to the Texas Rangers for the AL West title in 2011, but the reason is certainly not Oakland’s offense. The aging Hideki Matsui and the oft-injured Coco Crisp are the team’s two best offensive weapons. The A’s more than make up for a lack of pop with a deep rotation and bullpen, but in a matchup against a dominant starter, their biggest weakness is exposed.

Seattle probably has even less offensive firepower to work with, but Hernandez only needs a run or two pushed across and he can do the rest. He finished the 2010 season with a MLB-leading 2.27 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP. Hernandez can shut down any offense in the league, let alone a mediocre lineup like the one Oakland offers.

The best games to bet on aren’t always the ones that will be the most watched or most anticipated. Making money is the bottom line, and any game that offers favorable odds should be the best game in the mind of any savvy gambler. A low-scoring pitcher’s duel with the best arm belonging to the underdog has all the makings of a big payday for bettors.

Prediction: Seattle Mariners Win(+105) and Game goes Under 6 ½ Runs

GAME: Seattle (0-0) at Oakland (0-0)
TIME: 10:05 PM EST
TV: MLB
Favorite: Oakland -115(Moneyline) Total: Over/Under 6.5 Runs
Run Line: Oakland -1.5 +185 Seattle +1.5 -225
* Lines from the Las Vegas Hilton Sportsbook in Las Vegas