Cleveland Guardians vs
Oakland AthleticsPredictions & Preview

Guardians look to dominate Athletics in MLB season opener as Bieber faces off against Wood: Betting line favors Cleveland with -145 odds

The MLB season kicks off with an American League clash as the Cleveland Guardians take on the Oakland Athletics on Thursday, March 28 at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in California. The Guardians have had the upper hand in recent matchups, winning five out of six games last season. Starting pitchers Shane Bieber (Guardians) and Alex Wood (Athletics) will take the mound. Cleveland enters the game as the favorite with a betting line of -145. Game time is set for 10:07 PM ET.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Guardians -145 | Athletics +133
• Spread: Guardians -1.5 (+117) | Athletics +1.5 (-137)
• Total: Over/Under 7.25 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Cleveland will win straight-up is 59%.

Cleveland vs Oakland Stats

Cleveland Guardians

The Cleveland Guardians had a disappointing season last year, resulting in the termination of Terry Francona's contract. Stephen Vogt will lead the team this year in hopes of bringing them to the top of the AL Central. The pitching staff looks strong with players like Tanner Bibee, Logan Allen, Gavin Williams, and Shane Bieber leading the way. The offense will rely on key players like José Ramirez. Cleveland will start the season with three pitchers on the disabled list. Despite their struggles, the team is ranked 19th in power rankings, 27th in offense, and 9th in defense. They are currently 0-0 this season. If you are looking to make money, consider betting on the team's performance.

Oakland Athletics Analysis

The Oakland Athletics enter the 2024 season aiming to break a streak of 100-loss seasons. The team, which finished 50-112 last season, is in the midst of a rebuilding project. Despite facing a move to Las Vegas in 2028, the Athletics are still determining where they will play next season, considering their low fan attendance of 832,352 in the previous year. Left-hander Alex Wood and Ross Stripling are notable additions to the team's starting rotation, which is expected to be a strength. The offense struggled in 2023 but showed improvement towards the end of the season with the contributions of young players. The team is dealing with several injuries at the start of the season. Oakland ranks last in both offense and defense, with an overall record of 0-0. They recently defeated Cleveland in their last three matchups. For betting on games, BetMGM offers a welcome offer of up to $1,500 in bonus bets with the code WAWBET.

Bieber poised to lead Guardians to victory against Wood-led team as pitching proves key factor

Despite a disappointing 2023 season, Bieber has demonstrated the potential to be a top pitcher in the American League. The matchup between him and Wood heavily favors the Guardians, suggesting they will emerge victorious. With both lineups lacking strong hitters, pitching will be the decisive factor in this contest. Cleveland holds an advantage in bullpen depth, further solidifying their edge in the game. Ramirez is anticipated to have a strong start for the Guardians.

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