Oakland Athletics
Chicago Cubs
(-110/-110)-150
As the Chicago Cubs prepare to face off against the Oakland Athletics on September 17, 2024, both teams are looking to build on their recent performances. The Cubs, currently sitting at 77-73, are in the midst of an average season, while the Athletics, with a record of 65-86, have struggled significantly. In their last encounter on September 16, the Cubs dominated the Athletics with a decisive 9-2 victory, showcasing their offensive capabilities.
The Cubs are projected to start Jordan Wicks, a left-handed pitcher who has had a rocky season with a 2-3 record and a 5.27 ERA. Despite his struggles, advanced metrics suggest he may have been unlucky, as his xFIP sits at 4.55, indicating potential for improvement. Wicks’ last outing was particularly rough, as he allowed 7 earned runs in just 3 innings. However, he projects to pitch about 5.1 innings today, allowing an average of 2.2 earned runs, which could bode well against an Athletics lineup that ranks 24th in team batting average this season.
On the other side, Mitch Spence, a right-handed pitcher for the Athletics, has been one of the worst pitchers in the league according to advanced stats. His 4.33 ERA is average, but he has struggled with consistency across 21 starts. Spence’s last performance was strong, going 7 innings with only 2 earned runs, but he faces a tough challenge against a Cubs offense that ranks 13th overall in MLB.
With the Cubs favored to win, projections indicate they should score around 4.24 runs, while the Athletics are expected to tally just 3.89 runs. The Cubs’ best hitter, Ian Happ, continues to lead the charge, while Brent Rooker has been a bright spot for Oakland. As these teams clash again, the Cubs will aim to capitalize on their recent momentum and exploit the Athletics’ weaknesses to secure another victory.
Betting Trends
- Chicago Cubs – Over/Under 4.5 Team Total (+100/-130)The Chicago Cubs have hit the Team Total Under in 41 of their last 68 games at home (+10.95 Units / 14% ROI)
- Oakland Athletics – Run Line +1.5 (-160)The Oakland Athletics have hit the Run Line in 40 of their last 66 games (+9.75 Units / 11% ROI)
- Lawrence Butler – Over/Under 1.5 Hits Runs and RBIs (-115/-115)Lawrence Butler has hit the Hits Runs and RBIs Over in 19 of his last 26 games (+11.90 Units / 39% ROI)