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Don’t Miss Our Expert Analysis and Predictions for the Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds Matchup on 8-27-2024!

Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction, Preview, and Odds - 8-27-2024

An interleague series kicks off on Tuesday as the Oakland Athletics (56-75, 4th AL West) face off against the Cincinnati Reds (63-68, 4th NL Central). Both teams enjoyed a day off on Monday before this matchup. Oakland recently lost two of three games to the Brewers, while Cincinnati dropped three out of four against the Pirates. This series marks the only time these teams will meet this season. Oakland will send Mitch Spence (4.67 ERA) to the mound, while Cincinnati has yet to announce their starting pitcher. The first pitch is scheduled for 6:40 PM EST at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati.

Discover the best insights for your MLB picks!

Oakland’s Resilience Shines

The Oakland Athletics remain in the hunt for a playoff berth, though the odds are slim. Currently, they sit 16.5 games behind the final Wild Card spot in the American League, with six teams ahead of them. Despite these challenges, the Athletics have shown competitiveness since the All-Star break, avoiding sweeps in any series. Their latest victory against the Brewers featured an impressive performance from 22-year-old pitcher Joey Estes.

Estes utilized a mix of fastballs and sweepers to keep the Brewers guessing. He remarked to reporters, “I feel like I was just able to change eye levels a little bit and mix up counts,” according to ESPN.com. On Sunday, four different players contributed RBIs, including catcher Shae Langeliers, who boasts 22 home runs and 62 RBIs this season. Despite a batting average of .221, Langeliers plays a crucial role in the lineup. Brent Rooker, with a team-best 30 home runs and 87 RBIs, has been a consistent force, currently holding a .289 batting average. Meanwhile, Lawrence Butler, a 24-year-old outfielder, has taken over the leadoff position, contributing 14 home runs and 11 stolen bases this year.

Mitch Spence is set to make his 18th start of the season, having also pitched 11 times in relief. The 26-year-old right-hander holds a record of 7-9, with a 4.67 ERA, 97 strikeouts, and 35 walks, allowing 16 home runs. In his last outing, he pitched seven innings against Tampa Bay, striking out ten but unfortunately suffering a loss after surrendering four runs.

Cincinnati’s Late-Game Struggles

The Cincinnati Reds are grappling with their playoff aspirations following a disappointing series against the Pirates, where they managed only one win. In the final match on Sunday, Cincinnati held a 3-2 lead entering the ninth inning but faltered, allowing a two-run home run to Yasmani Grandal of Pittsburgh, sealing their fate. This loss leaves the Reds 7.5 games out of the National League’s final Wild Card position.

Closer Alexis Diaz faced criticism for the late-game collapse. Reds manager David Bell expressed confidence in Diaz, stating, “We put ourselves in a position to win. Alexis has been through it before, so he’ll bounce back. But obviously, he’s not happy with it, but he has been great in that spot.” Young star Elly De La Cruz continues to be a bright spot for Cincinnati, leading the MLB in stolen bases with 61 while also contributing 22 home runs and a .265 batting average. Spencer Steer leads the team with 82 RBIs, adding 19 home runs and a .236 batting average to his name, while Jonathan India, the leadoff hitter, boasts a .250 average with 12 home runs.

Cincinnati has not disclosed a starter for this matchup and faces uncertainty in their rotation due to injury issues. Their team ERA currently sits at 4.04, ranking 16th in the league.

Strategic Insights for Athletics vs. Reds

The Reds are in search of solutions, but those answers might not surface by Tuesday. With no starting pitcher named for any of their upcoming games, Cincinnati may have to rely on a bullpen-style approach, which can be challenging given the injuries they are facing. This strategy often falls short when key pitchers are not available to perform consistently. On the other hand, Oakland has shown unexpected strength in recent games, avoiding sweeps in the latter half of the season. They managed to split series with the Rays and Giants, along with a series win against the Mets. Mitch Spence, returning from a ten-strikeout performance, stands poised for success against a struggling Cincinnati lineup.

Written By

Dave Gallo is a leading sports bettor and handicapper since 1999, known for his impressive 10-0 winning streaks. A journalism, advertising, and media studies major at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he combines his betting expertise with academic knowledge. Gallo's strong work ethic and passion for sports fuel his ongoing success and scholarly pursuits.

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