Oakland Athletics vs
Chicago CubsPredictions & Preview

Oakland Athletics Secure Win Against Chicago Cubs, Despite Playoff Elimination: Bright Spot Brent Rooker's 38 Home Runs Stand Out

The Oakland Athletics are 65-86 this season, currently in 4th place in the AL West. Despite recent struggles, they secured a win against the Chicago Cubs last night during their fifth straight night in the Windy City. The A's will miss the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season as they near the end of their tenure in Oakland. Bright spot Brent Rooker's 38 home runs have propelled them to 5th in team homers, but overall, the team has struggled with pitching, ranking 24th in MLB in ERA. The Chicago Cubs, at 77-74, stand 2nd in the NL Central but are 10 games back of the Brewers. Their Wild Card chances are slim, sitting 6 games behind the Mets for the final spot. The Cubs have leaned on a strong pitching staff, with a 3.80 ERA, while ranking near the middle offensively. Brady Basso (ERA: 1.23) will start for the Athletics and Justin Steele (ERA: 3.23) for the Cubs, with the Cubs as the betting favorite.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Athletics +151 | Cubs -168
• Spread: Athletics +1.5 (-145) | Cubs -1.5 (+125)
• Total: Over/Under 7.5 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Chicago will win straight-up is 63%.

Oakland vs Chicago Stats

Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics' 2024 season will not end with a fairytale farewell, as they have been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention with 10 games left. This marks the fourth straight season that the A's will miss the playoffs. Despite their struggles, the franchise leaves behind a storied legacy of 21 postseason appearances and four World Series championships. While their record of 65-86 is a slight improvement, it falls far short of playoff contention. However, the team has found some optimism with a late surge since July 1, fueled by emerging stars like Brent Rooker and Lawrence Butler. The A's are ranked 26th in offense, 23rd in defense, and currently have a power ranking of 27.

Chicago Cubs Analysis

The Chicago Cubs are not giving up on their postseason hopes, as they plan to bring back left-hander Justin Steele from the injured list to start against the Oakland Athletics. Despite struggles in the bullpen, the Cubs are still chasing a wild card spot but face an uphill battle after falling six games behind the New York Mets. Tuesday's loss to Oakland further diminished their playoff chances, despite standout performances from Ian Happ and Nico Hoerner. Starting pitcher Jordan Wicks struggled with giving up home runs, reflecting the Cubs' season of highs and lows. The Cubs are ranked 2nd in power rankings, with an offense ranking of 12th and an overall record of 77-74. In their last three matchups, Oakland won 2 out of 3 games against Chicago.

Oakland A's on a Roll: Favorable Betting Opportunity Against Chicago Cubs at +140 Odds

The team has shown improvement in the second half of the season, boasting a 35-28 record since July 1st, the third-best in the American League within that timeframe. This positive trend in performance often presents favorable opportunities for bettors, particularly with a line of +140 which offers substantial potential returns for a team exhibiting recent success. With Brady Basso effectively disrupting opposing hitters and the Chicago Cubs struggling against left-handed pitchers, Oakland has the advantage in keeping their offense in check. Conversely, the Cubs have experienced a decline in form, losing three of their last five games during crucial moments which further cements Oakland as a favorable choice at plus odds. Despite being out of playoff contention, Oakland has demonstrated resilience and competitive spirit, defeating playoff contenders like the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. Therefore, considering Oakland's momentum and the advantageous matchup against an unfamiliar left-handed pitcher, taking Oakland at +140 presents a valuable opportunity.

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