This is a 10* TOTAL OF THE WEEK on the OVER A's/Mariners.

Two teams needing a victory collide on Monday night.

Neither side has been playing to many high-scoring affairs of late, but I think that Monday's series opener sets up as a "slug-fest."

Oakland hands the ball to James Kaprielian, who is 2-0 with a 1.53 ERA spanning 17.2 innings of work. He faced the Mariners at homeon Wednesday and kept them scoreless over seven.

Clearly, Kaprielian has been unbelievable to this point, but in my opinion, a little too perfect. Seattle has now had a chance to "see" the rookie, and I expect regression here in his second outing against it.

The home side counters with Logan Gilbert, who is 0-2 with a 7.59 ERA. He went four innings against Oakland last week, and allowed two runs in the no-decision.

The book is still out on each rookie, as the sample sizes are still just too small.

I believe each will get the hook early and that'll help in driving this total well OVER before the end of the night.

Good luck, NP