On Friday evening, the Oakland Athletics (64-83, 80-67 RL, 68-76-3 O/U) will face off against the struggling Chicago White Sox (33-114, 58-89 RL, 64-75-8 O/U) in the opening game of a three-game series. Brady Basso will take the mound for the Athletics, while Garrett Crochet will be on the hill for the White Sox. So far this season, Oakland has a slight edge in their encounters, leading the series 2-1.
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Oakland’s Road Resilience
Brady Basso has earned the starting position for Oakland. He recently delivered a stellar performance against the Tigers, throwing six scoreless innings, though he did not receive a decision in the A’s loss. This rookie right-hander has shown promise, allowing just two runs across four outings, leading to an impressive 1.93 ERA and a 0.75 WHIP, despite holding an 0-1 record in 9.1 innings pitched. His minor league campaign featured a 4.55 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP.
Oakland finds itself in the midst of a demanding road trip, spanning three series. There are signs of optimism for next season, especially with their power-hitting capabilities, although their pitching still needs refinement. After losing a home series to Detroit last weekend, they bounced back with a significant road win against the Houston Astros. Currently, they sit 15 games below .500 in away games.
One player to watch is Brent Rooker, who continues to excel at the plate. He has tallied 10 RBIs and carries a 1.00 OPS this month. The 29-year-old has emerged as a key player, smashing 35 home runs and collecting 102 RBIs while boasting a remarkable .951 OPS. However, he has yet to drive in any runs and has an .833 OPS against the White Sox this season.
As a team, Oakland averages 4.05 runs per game, which ranks them 25th in the league. Their pitching staff holds a 4.31 ERA, placing them 21st overall.
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Chicago’s Ongoing Struggles
Garrett Crochet will be pitching for Chicago on Friday. He faced difficulties in his last outing, conceding four runs in just two innings against the Red Sox, resulting in a loss for the young pitcher. Despite his challenges, Crochet remains a pivotal piece for the White Sox’s rebuilding efforts. His season statistics show a 3.83 ERA and a 1.10 WHIP alongside a 6-11 record over 134 innings. In his career against Oakland, he has thrown 2.2 scoreless innings.
The White Sox’s situation is dire, on track to lose around 130 games, a nearly unfathomable outcome. They managed to secure one victory in three encounters against the Orioles and Red Sox last week but were swept at home by the Guardians, allowing 16 runs in the series. Chicago currently stands 39 games below .500 at home.
Luis Robert Jr. has the potential to shine but has struggled with consistency this season. The veteran center fielder recorded only two RBIs and a .534 OPS this month. Overall, he has hit 14 home runs with 35 RBIs, but his performance against the Athletics has been lackluster, with no RBIs and a .167 OPS.
As a team, Chicago is averaging 3.08 runs per game, placing them at the bottom of the league at 30th. Their pitching staff holds a 4.85 ERA, ranking them 29th overall.
Analyzing the Matchup: Athletics vs. White Sox
The Oakland Athletics have emerged victorious in two out of their three matchups against the White Sox this season. This Oakland team possesses the capability to generate significant offensive output, having hit 184 home runs thus far. In stark contrast, the White Sox have faced a steep decline, losing 15 of their last 17 games and sitting 39 games under .500 at home.
Moreover, Brady Basso’s recent performance against a competitive Tigers lineup featured six scoreless innings, showcasing his potential. In contrast, Garrett Crochet has struggled with a 6.91 ERA in August and has allowed five runs in just 5.1 innings this month.
