In this article, we will formulate an Athletics vs Cubs Prediction for this MLB game on Monday, March 31st, at the Guaranteed Raley Field. Let’s take a look at an Athletics vs Chicago Cubs pick.
How Does the Cubs Offense Bounce Back?
The Cubs really struggled on Sunday with the pitching, and they will need to bounce back in a big way here. The Cubs scored six runs and finished with nine hits, but they allowed the Arizona Diamondbacks to finish with 14 hits and 10 runs. Elijah Morgon was the big problem, going only 0.2 innings while giving up six runs. Seiya Suzuki, Kyle Tucker, and Dansby Swanson all hit a home run to pace the offense. On Saturday, the Cubs picked up the 4-3 victory.
Kyle Tucker has been the top offensive player, hitting two home runs and driving in seven RBIs. Ben Brown is getting the start for the Cubs, and he already has one start under his belt. On March 18th, against the LA Dodgers, he went 2.2 innings, giving up four hits and three runs. He can’t have that type of start again, or this will be a long game.
Why The Cubs Will Beat the A’s
- The Cubs have won seven of their last eight road games against the Athletics.
- The Athletics have lost five of their last six home games after playing the previous day.
- The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in each of their last five home games after playing the previous day.
- The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last four games as road favorites against AL West opponents.
- The Athletics have trailed after 5 innings in three of their last four home openers.
- The Cubs have led after 3 innings in four of their last five night games against AL West opponents.
Can A’s Score Enough?
The Athletics sit with a 2-2 record, but on Sunday, they couldn’t get anything going. Oakland faced off against the Seattle Mariners, and the scored only one run. The pitching gave up only two runs, but they still didn’t do enough. Tyler Soderstrom hit a home run, but he was the only real bright spot with the offense. On Saturday, the A’s pitching again was good, giving up only two runs, but the difference in that game was the offense was able to put up four, to pace for a victory.
Joey Estes will start for the A’s, who will be completing his second full season in the league this year. Estes made 25 appearances and had a 7-9 record and an ERA of 5.01. His WHIP wasn’t awful, sitting at 1.23, and a little more run support would be helpful this year.
Why the Athletics Will Beat the Cubs
- The Athletics have won six of their last seven games as underdogs against National League opponents following a road loss.
- The Cubs have lost three of their last four games as road favorites.
- The Athletics have covered the run line each of their last six night games against National League opponents that held a losing record.
- The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five games as road favorites against American League opponents.
- The Cubs have trailed after 3 innings in three of their last four night games.
Athletics vs Cubs Prediction
Please give me the offense for both teams here. This isn’t the Oakland Coliseum and the stadium shouldn’t play such a big factor in keeping the ball in the ballpark here. I really am not sold on Estes, and the Cubs has offense they have the firepower. In this game, it’s going to be the longball that they lean on. We already know that Ben Brown has issues, and there is no reason to believe he’s going to be any better here. Both starting pitchers are going to be a problem and this game could be over the total by the time the sixth inning hits. Back the over.