The Oakland Athletics are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs in a Wednesday showdown. NBC Sports Chicago will televise this interleague matchup and the opening pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.
Oakland Athletics at Chicago Cubs Odds
Chicago (-145) is favored over Oakland (+135) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this game at 10.5 runs. Odds for betting on the game’s total now stand at -115 for the under and -105 for the over. Bettors can also wager on the game’s spread with the runline odds standing at Athletics +1.5 runs (-160) and Cubs -1.5 runs (+140).
The Athletics are 65-49 SU and are 60-54 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 12.7 units for moneyline gamblers and 5.0 units ATS. Oakland has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven. The Cubs, on the other hand, are 61-52 SU and 54-59 ATS. They’ve lost 2.9 units for moneyline bettors and 3.4 units ATS. Chicago has covered the spread four times in its last seven games and the under has cashed in three of those seven.
Chicago games have an over/under record of 53-53-7 in 2019. Oakland has an over/under record of 54-57-3.
Homer Bailey will get the start for Oakland. The right-handed Bailey is 9-7 with a 5.20 ERA and 101 strikeouts. He has yet to face Chicago this year, but he did make two starts against the Cubs in 2018, posting a 0-2 record against them with an 8.38 ERA and five strikeouts.
The Cubs are putting the ball in the hands of lefty Jose Quintana (9-7, 4.40 ERA), who has 103 strikeouts and 35 walks, along with a 1.35 WHIP. Quintana did not register a start against the Athletics in 2018.
Chicago’s pitching staff has allowed 4.3 runs per game overall this season as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 3.96, a WHIP of 1.26 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.7. The bullpen has a 4.12 ERA, 1.36 WHIP and 8.8 K/9.
Chicago’s hitters have produced 5.0 runs per contest, including 4.4 per game over its last 10 games and 5.4 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .337/.400/.593 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
Shortstop Javier Baez and third baseman Kris Bryant have led the Cubs’ batters this year. Baez is hitting .291/.323/.562 with 28 home runs, 76 RBIs, 79 runs and nine steals, while Bryant’s line sits at .285/.385/.529 with 22 homers, 53 RBIs and 82 runs.
For the visitors, Oakland’s pitchers have allowed 4.3 runs per game and its starting pitchers own a 4.09 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and 6.89 K/9. The bullpen has logged an ERA of 4.06, along with a K/9 of 8.93.
Athletics hitters have slashed .246/.324/.442 on their way to 5.1 runs scored per game in 2019, including 5.1 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 6.6 per game over the team’s last five outings (4-1 SU).
Oakland’s offensive production has been fueled by shortstop Marcus Semien and outfielder Ramon Laureano. Semien is hitting .276/.363/.478 with 19 home runs, 55 RBIs and 85 runs scored, while Laureano is hitting .284/.334/.518 with 21 homers, 58 RBIs, 67 runs and 12 steals.
The Athletics have gained 12.1 units and are 17-11 ATS when facing a lefty starter this season. The over has cashed in 15 of those games, compared to 12 that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Cubs have netted 3.5 units and are 45-44 ATS when facing a righty starter. The over’s cashed in 43 of those games, compared to 41 that went under the total.
Athletics vs. Cubs Free MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Cubs, ATS Winner – Athletics, O/U – OVER
Betting Trends
- Oakland has tallied 15 extra-base hits over its last five games. Chicago has 22 XBH over its last five.
- The Athletics have a total OPS of .766 this season and an OPS of .824 against left-handed pitchers. The Cubs’ OPS sits at .786 overall and .726 against lefties.
- The Athletics have won four of their last five games SU.
- Chicago has posted 21.6 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 outings and 28.6 over its last five.
- The Athletics have hit 16 home runs in their last 10 games, including nine over their last five.
