The Oakland Athletics (5-22) host the Cincinnati Reds (11-15) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Saturday. The Reds took Friday’s series opener 11-7, their fourth straight victory overall. Starter Luis Cessa got the win, giving up three runs on eight hits over five innings.
Jake Fraley was 2 for 4 with a home run, three runs, and two RBIs in the win. Henry Ramos added one run on two hits. Brent Rooker went 3 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs for the Athletics. Ryan Noda went 3 for 4 with a home run, four runs, and two RBIs.
ON THE MOUND
Hunter Greene (0-1, 3.52 ERA) is slated to take the mound for Cincinnati. The RHP allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 2-0 road defeat against the Pirates on Sunday. He took the loss, yielding four hits while striking out six and walking two.
For Oakland, southpaw Kyle Muller (0-2, 7.23 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Reds. In his last start on Sunday, Muller took the loss on the road against the Rangers. He threw five innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking four in the 5-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Cincinnati has averaged 6.0 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.5, while slashing better across the board (.275/.346/.389).
Against left-handed pitchers like Muller this season, the Reds have a .677 OPS. Kevin Newman is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .939 OPS in 22 at-bats.
Oakland is averaging 6.2 runs per game in the last five, up from 3.9 for the season, with an improved slash line (.246/.318/.492). The A’s have a .655 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth lowest in MLB. With a .425 OBP over 63 at-bats, Noda has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cincinnati is 2-9 away from Great American Ball Park in 2023, scoring 3.7 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Oakland has lost eight in a row in front of their home fans.
The A’s are 2-11 at home this season, averaging 3.3 runs per game while surrendering 7.8. The teams have split their last 10 games at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum with an average scoreline of 3.7-3.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Reds are fourth in the NL Central, seven games behind the division-leading Pirates. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 10 games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Cincinnati Reds (-155)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
