The baseball odds list the Rockies as favorites at -135 and the Padres at +115 with an over/under of 6.5.

The San Diego Padres (16-9, 10-3 home) began the season by winning three of their first nine games, bringing back memories of last season’s disappointing team that finished 75-87. They then reeled off 13 wins out of their next 16 games to bring their record to a division-leading 16-9. They are coming off of a four-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers in which they took three games, keeping Milwaukee scoreless in each win.

First basemen Adrian Gonzalez leads San Diego’s offense. The seventh year pro is batting .294 with a .553 slugging percentage and 6 home runs. In San Diego’s most recent win, outfielders Scott Hairston and Kyle Blanks hit back-to-back home runs in the fifth inning. Pitching, however, has been San Diego’s strongpoint this season. With 200 on the year, they are second in the NL in strike outs.

The Colorado Rockies (12-13, 5-8 away) are currently four games behind San Diego. They are coming off of a 4-1 win Sunday afternoon against the San Francisco Giants. The win snapped a three game skid for the Rockies. Their offense is led by first basemen Todd Helton (.375 OBP), catcher Miguel Olivo (5 home runs), and outfielder Carlos Gonzalez (.330 batting average).

The biggest thing to pay attention to in this game is Rockies’ starting pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez (5-0, 0.79 ERA). He has won all five of his starts and hasn’t given up a run since he last faced San Diego on April 11. He pitched a no-hitter against Atlanta on April 17 and leads the major leagues in ERA. His scoreless streak of 22 1/3 is a franchise record.

San Diego will counter by starting Kevin Correia (4-1, 3.86 ERA). Correia lost his first start of the season but has won his last four consecutive. He is looking to improve his efficiency. He has not made it past the fifth inning this season.

Colorado Rockies at San Diego Padres – MLB Betting Preview by MLB Baseball Previews

The MLB money line lists the Athletics at -140 and the Mariners at +120 with an over/under of 7.5.

If Anderson can lead the Oakland Athletics (6-2) to victory, the subsequent 7-2 record will tie their best start since 2003. Anderson has played superbly against the Mariners, with a career 3-1 record and 1.86 ERA against them in five starts. Earlier this year, the left-hander pitched six scoreless innings against the Mariners in a 6-2 home win.

Fister is hoping to rebound from his first start of the year, in which he pitched four innings and gave up two runs and six hits and three walks. The Mariners will need more from their hitters as well. After posting a .275 batting average against the A’s in 2009, they have regressed to a paltry .175 against them this year.

After being shut out against Oakland at home on Monday, the Seattle Mariners (2-6) are still looking for their first home victory. After promising expectations leading into the season, the Mariners are off to their worst start since 2004. Right fielder Ken Griffey Jr., who is 4-19 on the year, remains optimistic for the season. “We’ll get on track, and the first six, seven games will be forgotten,” said Griffey. “I’d rather it happen this week than late September.”

Oakland’s pitching may be too much for the offensively-challenged Mariners. Their team ERA of 2.61 is first in the AL. Seattle’s team batting average is .212. Brett Anderson is an emerging star, and if the A’s can get more than six innings from him they will end up with their seventh victory of the season.

Oakland Athletics at Seattle Mariners – MLB Betting Preview by MLB Baseball Previews