In a matchup where postseason ambitions have already been settled, the New York Yankees (89-64, 1st AL East) face off against the Oakland Athletics (67-86, 4th AL West) in their three-game series on Saturday. The first contest of this series occurred on Friday (Note: This article reflects events prior to Friday’s game). Historically, these teams had an evenly matched four-game series in April. Recently, New York secured two victories against the Seattle Mariners, while Oakland triumphed in two of three encounters versus the Chicago Cubs. Saturday’s game will feature Carlos Rodon (4.12 ERA) on the mound for the Yankees, with JP Sears (4.24 ERA) starting for the Athletics. The opening pitch is slated for 9:07 EST at the Oakland Coliseum.
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Yankees Poised for Playoff Success
The Yankees may not have officially secured the AL East title, but they have locked in a place in the playoffs. With a record that ranks third in Major League Baseball—trailing only the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers—New York leads the American League. They are currently four games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles as the regular season winds down with only nine games remaining. Their recent series against the Mariners saw Jazz Chisholm Jr. contributing crucial RBIs, hitting a two-run homer in a narrow 3-2 loss on Thursday.
The Yankees experienced a moment of concern in the seventh inning when Juan Soto collided with the outfield wall while attempting a catch. Fortunately, manager Aaron Boone later reported that Soto’s injury was not severe, stating, “I think him sliding the way he did served him well. My biggest fear was that he twisted something, but it seems he preserved himself a little bit.” Soto, despite being 0-3 in the matchup, boasts impressive stats with 40 home runs and 103 RBIs, figures that would typically lead most teams. However, Aaron Judge’s remarkable season continues, as he leads the league with 53 home runs and 136 RBIs, making the duo a formidable challenge for opposing pitchers.
Carlos Rodon is set to make his 31st start of the year, tying him with Nestor Cortes for the most appearances from a Yankees pitcher this season. The seasoned left-hander has a 15-9 record and has helped the Yankees secure victories in his last two starts. His current ERA stands at 4.12, complemented by 186 strikeouts against 52 walks and 29 home runs allowed. In his previous outing, he pitched 5.1 innings, surrendering two earned runs in a win over the Boston Red Sox.
Athletics Embracing the Challenge
In contrast to the Yankees, the Athletics are aware that they will not be participating in the playoffs. This reality has been clear for about a week, as they currently sit as the third-worst team in the American League, trailing only the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Angels. Despite their struggles, the Athletics have shown resilience, recently winning two of three games against the Cubs. In their Thursday matchup, the A’s played a role in helping the Milwaukee Brewers clinch the NL Central by defeating the Cubs, who were vying for a playoff spot.
Brent Rooker stood out in the game, recording two hits and an RBI. He emphasized the team’s determination despite being out of playoff contention, stating, “At this time of the year, it would be easy to give up, but that’s not the character of this group. We’re going to fight until the last out and try to win every game possible.” Rooker leads the Athletics with 38 home runs and 110 RBIs while maintaining an impressive batting average of .304. Shae Langeliers, the team’s catcher, follows closely with 28 home runs and 78 RBIs, typically batting third in the lineup.
JP Sears will also make his 31st start of the year, serving as the Athletics’ top pitcher, having logged the most innings pitched and starts on the team. His record stands at 11-11, with the team winning two out of his last five outings. Sears has an ERA of 4.24, with 127 strikeouts against 44 walks and 24 home runs allowed over the season. In his last game, he pitched six innings, allowing four runs against the White Sox, resulting in a loss.
Strategic Insights for Yankees vs. Athletics
The Yankees aim to finish the season on a high note, needing just a few victories to secure the AL East title. Aaron Judge is expected to showcase his skills in these final games, especially with Shohei Ohtani gaining recognition this season. The Yankees have recently won three of their last four games, facing an Athletics team that appears ready for the season to conclude. Both squads are sending out their top pitchers, but Rodon’s striking power is evident, boasting nearly 60 more strikeouts than Sears while pitching fewer innings. This advantage will likely limit Oakland’s scoring opportunities, as they rank 26th in the league for run production. Additionally, Sears’ ERA has risen to 4.70 in the past month, and his last game against the league’s worst team resulted in four runs allowed. The Yankees are poised to assert dominance with Rodon on the mound, taking critical steps toward clinching the division title.
