The Oakland A’s, having just played their last game at the Oakland Coliseum, face off against the Seattle Mariners in Seattle for the second game of the season’s final series. This matchup comes on the heels of the Mariners’ playoff elimination earlier this week, while the A’s have been out of the postseason race for some time as they prepare for their relocation to Sacramento in 2025. The starting pitcher for this Saturday’s game remains uncertain; the A’s will send right-hander Joey Estes (7-9, 4.99 ERA) to the mound, while the Mariners have yet to announce their starter. The first pitch is set for 9:40 pm EST.
A’s Conclude Their Oakland Era with Joey Estes
The Oakland A’s 2024 season is drawing to a close, marking the end of an era. With the team set to move to Sacramento next year and eventually to Las Vegas, the recent farewell from their Oakland fans was filled with emotion. The A’s can now look ahead to the future, even as they wrap up their final games in Oakland.
*This article was drafted before the conclusion of Friday night’s match.
The A’s will rely on Joey Estes for their penultimate game of the season. Estes has started 23 games this year, achieving eight quality starts. He holds a 7-9 record with a 4.99 ERA and a WHIP of 1.22. Throughout the season, he has allowed 125 hits over 122 innings, striking out 90 while walking 25. However, Estes has struggled in recent outings, failing to pitch more than five innings in three of his last five starts prior to this game.
Key Injuries: LF Esteury Ruiz and SS Max Muncy are sidelined.
Mariners Face an Uncertain Future
The Seattle Mariners were in pursuit of a wildcard playoff spot but fell short this week. With this disappointment, they will have to regroup and aim for a better outcome next season, which would mark their second postseason appearance in over two decades. The Mariners face important decisions during the offseason, particularly in balancing their strong pitching rotation with a lineup that has underperformed.
*This article was drafted before the conclusion of Friday night’s match.
As of now, the Mariners have not named a starting pitcher for Saturday night. The uncertainty partly stems from their elimination from playoff contention. While starter Luis Castillo is set to return from the injured list, the team may opt to hold him out in order to prevent any injuries in these final games. A bullpen approach could be on the horizon, allowing several pitchers to get some work before the season concludes.
Key Injuries: SP Luis Castillo, RP Yimi Garcia, and SP Taylor Dollard are out.
Best Bets for A’s vs. Mariners
The Mariners made a last-ditch effort to secure a wildcard spot but ultimately fell short. Consequently, they may choose to conserve some of their key pitchers in the final two games to avoid injuries. The lack of postseason motivation could result in a less aggressive approach as they close out the season. On the other hand, the A’s feature a young and determined roster eager to improve individual statistics heading into the offseason. Notably, A’s slugger Brent Rooker is just two home runs shy of reaching 40 for the season and is batting slightly below .300. With personal milestones at stake, the motivation from players like Rooker could influence the outcome of these otherwise meaningless games.
