Cincinnati Reds vs Oakland Athletics Picks and Predictions August 28th 2024

Athletics’ Osvaldo Bido rides hot streak into matchup with Reds

The Athletics and Reds will face off in an interleague matchup at 6:40 PM ET at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. Oakland is currently on a two-game winning streak and has an overall record of 57-75, while the Reds have lost two straight and are 4th in the NL Central with a record of 63-69.

Wednesday’s money line odds have the Athletics at -115 compared to the Reds at -105, and the over/under line is at 10 runs. NSPCA is carrying this one on TV, and Osvaldo Bido is starting for the Athletics, while the Reds are going with Fernando Cruz.

Oakland vs. Cincinnati Key Information

• Teams: Athletics at Reds
• Where: Great American Ball Park Cincinnati
• Date: Wednesday, August 28th
• Betting Odds OAK -115 | CIN -105 O/U 10

The Athletics Can Win If…

Right-hander Osvaldo Bido gets the start for the Athletics today as he faces off against the Reds on the road. Bido has made 13 appearances this season and has a record of 5-3 to go along with a 3.24 ERA. So far, he has turned in three quality starts and is averaging 9.18 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, Bido picked up the win, going five innings and giving up one earned run on six hits. Before that, he had won two straight starts. The right-hander has been especially tough on the road, coming in with a record of 2-1 and 4.3 ERA.

As a team, the Athletics are batting just .231 this season, which is 21st in the league. They have also struggled in terms of scoring runs, coming in 25th in the league at 4 runs per game. However, they have been a good home run hitting team and are 7th in the league in home runs. Oakland’s team on-base percentage is just .303, which is 18th in the league.

Brent Rooker has been a bright spot for the Athletics this season, as he is batting .286 with 30 home runs and 87 RBIs. He is on a 5-game hitting streak and has gone deep twice in his last five games. Catcher Shea Langeliers has also been a solid power threat for the Athletics, but he is batting just .218 for the season.

• The Athletics are 5-5 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Athletics are 3-2 vs. the run line.
• Oakland has an over/under record of 2-8 in their last ten games.
• The Athletics have an average of 4.0 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the Athletics are 6-4
• Looking back across the Athletics last five games as the favorite, they are 4-1
• Oakland has gone 2-1 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Athletics have averaged 4.3 runs per game on offense

The Reds Can Win If…

Fernando Cruz is getting the start for the Reds today and has made 61 appearances out of the bullpen this season. He has a record of 3-8 and an ERA of 5.30. Cruz most recently pitched on August 23rd, where he went 1 1/3 innings out of the bullpen and didn’t give up a run. He finished with a no-decision in that outing. Looking back further, Cruz has finished with a no-decision in each of his last three outings. Cruz’s ERA for the season is 6.67 on the road compared to 5.84 at home.

Elly De La Cruz has been one of the Reds’ most consistent hitters this season, batting .265 with a team-high 22 home runs. He has also been hot of late, going 11/32 in his last eight games, with nine runs scored and seven RBIs. Tyler Stephenson has also been swinging a hot bat, going 11/26 in his last seven games, and he is currently on an 11-game hitting streak.

As a team, the Reds are averaging 4.5 runs per game, which is 14th in the league. They are also one of the top home run hitting teams in the league, but are batting just .232 as a team, which is 20th in the MLB.

• The Reds are 3-7 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the Reds are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Cincinnati has an over/under record of 6-2-2 in their last ten games.
• The Reds have an average of 4.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Reds are 4-6
• Looking back across the Reds last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Cincinnati has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Reds have averaged 4.5 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Today’s matchup between the Athletics and Reds has the highest projected runs total in the league, and our lean would be towards taking the over. As for who is going to come out on top, we have our lean on the Reds to pick up the win. Oakland’s offense has the highest projected home run total, but between the two starters, we have Fernando Cruz as today’s strikeout leader.

Oakland Athletics’ right-hander Osvaldo Bido will take the mound on Wednesday evening, aiming to secure his fourth consecutive win when the A’s face off against the Cincinnati Reds in the second game of their three-game series.

Bido’s Stellar Run Continues

Bido (5-3, 3.24 ERA) has been on a remarkable run, allowing just one run and five hits across his last three starts, spanning 17 innings. His control has been sharp, with 17 strikeouts and only six walks during this period, positioning him as a key player in the Athletics’ recent success.

In his most recent outing, Bido pitched five-plus innings against the Tampa Bay Rays, giving up just one run and two hits in a 3-1 victory. Despite not having full command of all his pitches, Bido relied heavily on his changeup and fastball to stifle the Rays’ lineup.

“He has been on a good run, and he seems to be getting more confident,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay. “The presence out there on the mound, you can see that.”

Pitching Adjustments Fueling Success

Bido’s recent performance is partly due to technical adjustments made with the help of pitching coach Scott Emerson and bullpen coach Dan Hubbs. The duo has worked closely with Bido to reduce his head movement during his delivery, a tweak that has significantly improved his pitch command and consistency.

“You’ve seen the command get better and better,” Kotsay added. “The execution of the pitches has gotten better and better. I tip my cap to Bido for making those adjustments and being able to repeat them. I think that’s why we’re seeing the success.”

Athletics Building Momentum

The Athletics are coming off a 5-4 victory in the series opener against the Reds, where Mitch Spence delivered a solid outing, allowing one run and five hits over 5 1/3 innings. Although Spence did not factor into the decision, his performance was crucial in setting the tone for the series.

Reds Struggling with Pitching Depth

The Cincinnati Reds are grappling with significant challenges in their pitching staff, having placed three starting pitchers on the injured list in the past two weeks. This includes ace Hunter Greene, who suffered an elbow injury, Andrew Abbott with a left shoulder strain, and Nick Lodolo, who went down with a sprained left middle finger.

In response, the Reds have had to rely on less conventional options. Right-hander Jacob Junis, who stepped into a starting role for the first time this season, delivered four perfect innings in Tuesday’s game, providing some relief for the bullpen.

“Starting a game is something new, and it might be something that continues his next time around,” Reds manager David Bell said of Junis.

For Wednesday’s game, the Reds will turn to right-hander Fernando Cruz (3-8, 5.30 ERA) for his first start of the season. Cruz, who has made 61 relief appearances this year, will be asked to stretch beyond his usual workload, which could pose challenges given the Athletics’ current form.

Reds’ Offensive Bright Spots and Struggles

On the offensive side, Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson has been a consistent bright spot, boasting a .381 average during his current 11-game hitting streak. His recent 3-for-4 performance with three runs in Tuesday’s game highlights his pivotal role in the Reds’ lineup.

However, outfielder Will Benson continues to struggle at the plate, with his batting average dropping to .192 this season, a significant decline from his .275 average last year. Despite his slump, manager David Bell remains confident in Benson’s abilities and potential.

“Will’s continuing to work. He’s going to get through this, no doubt,” Bell stated. “We still believe in Will as a player. It’s as simple as that. He knows that. He continues to have a great attitude, continues to work, and he’s got a long way to go in his career, so he will get opportunities, for sure.”

Key Matchup to Watch

Wednesday’s matchup between the Athletics and the Reds is set to be an intriguing contest, largely hinging on Bido’s ability to maintain his dominant form. With the Reds’ pitching rotation in disarray due to injuries, Bido could capitalize on the opportunity to extend his winning streak and further bolster the Athletics’ momentum.

For the Reds, the challenge will be twofold: managing Cruz’s transition from the bullpen to a starter role and ensuring that their offense, led by Stephenson, can generate enough support against a red-hot Bido.

As the Athletics look to continue their recent success, the outcome of this game could hinge on Bido’s continued command and the Reds’ ability to overcome their pitching woes.

Conclusion

The stage is set for a critical game in this series, with Osvaldo Bido and the Athletics hoping to exploit the Reds’ vulnerabilities on the mound. With Bido’s confidence growing and the Reds scrambling to fill gaps in their rotation, this matchup could be pivotal for both teams.

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