The Oakland Athletics (65-86, 71-77 O/U) will square off against the Chicago Cubs (77-73, 72-74 O/U) on Wednesday afternoon in the middle game of a three-game interleague series. This preview is provided ahead of the opening game on Tuesday evening. Rookie lefty Brady Basso (1-0, 1.23 ERA) is expected to take the mound for Oakland, while Chicago will counter with left-hander Justin Steele (5-5, 3.09 ERA).
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Athletics Aiming to Improve Win Record
The Oakland Athletics have shown some improvement recently but remain inconsistent throughout the season. The team sits fourth in the AL West with a 65-86 record as they head into this matchup. Offensively, the Athletics have been relatively average, ranking tied for 17th in MLB with a .701 team OPS, and averaging 4.03 runs per game.
Designated hitter Brent Rooker (.956 OPS, 38 HRs) stands out as a key contributor, leading Oakland’s offense this season. Rookie left-hander Brady Basso has been impressive on the mound and recently secured a win against the Chicago White Sox, pitching 5.1 shutout innings while allowing no runs on five hits, with one walk and two strikeouts.
Cubs Seeking a Wild Card Spot
The Chicago Cubs find themselves in the hunt for a playoff spot as they try to solidify their second place standing in the NL Central with a 77-73 record. The Cubs’ offense has been performing at a moderate level, featuring a team slash line of .243/.318/.397, while averaging 4.61 runs per game.
One of the standout players for the Cubs has been right fielder Seiya Suzuki, who boasts 18 home runs and an .835 OPS as he pushes the team toward an NL Wild Card position. Justin Steele will be starting for Chicago, coming off a solid performance against the Pittsburgh Pirates where he allowed two runs on six hits, accompanied by two walks and six strikeouts in five innings.
Strategic Predictions for Athletics vs. Cubs
The difference in production levels between these two teams is likely to be evident throughout the game. Both Brady Basso and Justin Steele have shown solid form recently; however, the ability to pitch deep into the game may set them apart. Basso has appeared in five games, logging only 14.2 innings, while Steele has consistently delivered length, making him a more reliable option for the Cubs.
Since the All-Star break, the offensive stats tell a compelling story. Oakland ranks 12th in the league with a .729 team OPS, averaging 4.13 runs over their last 53 games. In contrast, the Cubs are performing significantly better, sitting sixth in MLB with a .752 team OPS and scoring an average of 5.33 runs across their last 52 games. The Chicago Cubs are likely to secure a victory, applying pressure on the rest of the National League.
