Following a two-homer game last time out, Ian Happ leads the Chicago Cubs (77-74) into action as -181 favorites against the Oakland Athletics (66-86). First pitch from Wrigley Field at 2:20 p.m. ET on Wednesday, live on MLB Network.
Chicago’s Justin Steele and Oakland’s Brady Basso have been named the starters for this contest.
Cubs vs. Athletics Odds
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Who Will Win Cubs vs. Athletics?
Cubs and Athletics Betting Trends
The Cubs have been favored on the moneyline 76 total times this season. They’ve gone 40-36 in those games.
In games it has played as moneyline favorites with odds of -181 or shorter, Chicago has a record of 14-1 (93.3%).
This season, the Athletics have been the underdog 131 times and won 53, or 40.5%, of those games.
Oakland has a record of 18-30 in games where oddsmakers have it as underdogs of at least +153 on the moneyline.
The Cubs have played in 151 games with over/under set, and have combined with opponents to go over the total 71 times (71-75-5).
The Athletics and their opponents have gone over the total this season in 70 of their 151 opportunities.
Cubs Stats & Insights
The Cubs rank 12th in runs scored with 695, 4.6 per game.
Chicago averages 1.1 home runs per game to rank 19th in baseball with 162 total home runs.
The Cubs have the 14th-ranked batting average in the league (.243).
Chicago strikes out 8.5 times per game, the No. 16 average in the majors.
The 8.6 strikeouts per nine innings compiled by the Cubs pitching staff ranks 12th in the majors.
Chicago’s 3.81 team ERA ranks ninth among all MLB pitching staffs.
Athletics Stats & Insights
The Athletics have scored 613 runs (just four per game) this season, which ranks 26th in MLB.
Oakland ranks fifth in Major League Baseball with 192 home runs.
The Athletics have a team batting average of .235 this season, which ranks 23rd among MLB teams.
Oakland ranks 27th in strikeouts per game (9.3) among MLB offenses.
The Athletics strike out just 7.9 batters per nine innings as a pitching staff, which ranks 28th in MLB.
Oakland pitchers have a combined ERA of 4.35 ERA this year, which ranks 24th in MLB.
Cubs Key Players to Watch
Steele makes the start for the Cubs, his 23rd of the season. He is 5-5 with a 3.09 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 128 2/3 innings pitched.
Happ is batting .249 this season with a team-high 25 home runs and 85 RBI.
Nico Hoerner has collected 146 hits this season and has an OBP of .332. He’s slugging .358 on the year.
Cody Bellinger has 130 hits this season and a slash line of .270/.332/.438.
Isaac Paredes is batting .238 with an OBP of .349 and a slugging percentage of .400 this season.
Athletics Key Players to Watch
The Athletics’ Basso will make his third start of the season.
Brent Rooker has accumulated a team-best batting average of .302, and leads the Athletics in home runs (38) and runs batted in (109).
JJ Bleday is hitting .246 with 43 doubles, four triples, 20 home runs and 64 walks.
Lawrence Butler is batting .269 with 23 doubles, two triples, 22 home runs and 33 walks.
Shea Langeliers has 16 doubles, two triples, 28 home runs and 35 walks while batting .220.
Cubs and Athletics Injuries
Cubs: Julian Merryweather: 15 Day IL (Knee), Hayden Wesneski: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Brennen Davis: 60 Day IL (Ankle), Luke Little: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Yency Almonte: 60 Day IL (Shoulder), Colten Brewer: 60 Day IL (Hand), Ben Brown: 60 Day IL (Neck), Nick Madrigal: 60 Day IL (Finger), Adbert Alzolay: 60 Day IL (Forearm)
Athletics: Ross Stripling: 15 Day IL (Back), Austin Adams: 15 Day IL (Forearm), Osvaldo Bido: 15 Day IL (Wrist), Alex Wood: 60 Day IL (Rotator cuff), Ken Waldichuk: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Trevor Gott: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Miguel Andújar: 60 Day IL (Muscle), Luis Medina: 60 Day IL (Elbow), Esteury Ruiz: 60 Day IL (Wrist)
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