The Coach's MLB West Coast Express - A's vs. M's
(MLB) Oakland vs. Seattle,
Money Line: -112.00 Seattle (Home)
Result: Win
The Seattle Mariners won last night's opener of a three game set against the Oakland Athletics 4-3 with a walk-off homer in the 11th inning last night. It was the A's third consecutive loss, while the M's picked up their mere second win over their last eight games. I think a pumped up home-team will use that momentum to ride to another home-win tonight and set themselves up for a sweep of the series tomorrow.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The A's will hand the ball to Jesse Hahn (1-2, 4.33 ERA) who was torched for six runs on 10 hits over five innings in a 8-7 loss at Minnesota his last time out. He surrendered four runs (one earned) on three hits with two walks over 5 2/3 innings when he faced the M's home in Oakland on April 12 as he'll make his first start at Safeco tonight. The M's will counter with J.A. Happ (2-1, 3.51 ERA) who was lit up for six runs on seven hits over six innings at Houston his last start. He's been solid at home though, compiling a 2.51 ERA over 14 1/3 innigns of work and was dominant home at Safeco last year as well with a 3.15 ERA over 15 outings, 14 starts. He hurled seven scoreless innings against Oakland on the year and held them to two runs on seven hits over 6 1/3 innings in his season-debut at Oakland this year.

2. Road Woes - Oakland has lost four of its last five away from home overall and 10 of its last 12 on the road coming up against a left-handed starter.

3. X-Factor - Oakland's Coco Crisp is hitless in nine at-bats since being activated off the disabled list.

Selection: This is a play on the Seattle Mariners (8*)