Oakland Athletics vs Chicago White Sox Picks and Predictions August 7th 2024

Losing streak over, White Sox go for two in a row vs. A’s

Wednesday’s matchup between the White Sox and Athletics is set to get started at 3:37 PM ET from Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, CA. The Athletics are the heavy favorite on the money line, with their odds sitting at -211, while the White Sox are +177 underdogs. The over/under line is currently 8.5 runs.

Joey Estes is starting for the Athletics, while the White Sox are going with Davis Martin. Chicago comes in with a record of 28-88, which has them in 5th place in the AL Central. The Athletics are also in 5th place, but in the AL West, and they are 47-68.

Chicago vs. Oakland Key Information

• Teams: White Sox at Athletics
• Where: Oakland Coliseum Oakland
• Date: Wednesday, August 7th
• Betting Odds OAK -211 | CHW +177 O/U 8.5

The White Sox Can Win If…

Davis Martin will be making his first start of the season for the White Sox. He has made one appearance out of the bullpen so far, going 2 2/3 innings and striking out 3. In that outing, he gave up 1 earned run on 3 hits. His first start of the season came on the road against the Twins, where he took the loss, going 3 2/3 innings and giving up 4 earned runs.

Andrew Vaughn and Luis Robert Jr. have been two of the White Sox’s top home run hitters this season, but both are batting below .236 for the season. Vaughn has gone deep 13 times, and Robert Jr. has 12 homers. Vaughn is also the team’s leader in RBIs, with 51. Over his last seven games, Andrew Benintendi has two home runs and is batting .348.

Chicago’s offense has been the worst in the league this season, averaging just 3.1 runs per game. Not only is this the worst mark in the league, but they are also the worst home run hitting team in the league and have the league’s worst team batting average. They also have the worst on-base percentage and OPS in the MLB.

• The White Sox are 1-9 in their last ten games.
• Over their last five games, the White Sox are 1-4 vs. the run line.
• Chicago has an over/under record of 6-3-1 in their last ten games.
• The White Sox have an average of 3.4 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten road games, the White Sox are 1-9
• Looking back across the White Sox last five games as the favorite, they are 2-3
• Chicago has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the White Sox have averaged 2.6 runs per game on offense

The Athletics Can Win If…

Right-hander Joey Estes gets the start for the Athletics today as he faces the White Sox at home. He has made 14 starts this year and has a record of 5-4 with an ERA of 4.77. Opponents have hit .246 off Estes this year, and his WHIP is 1.20. Estes’ last outing came against the Dodgers, where he picked up the win, going six innings and giving up two earned runs. Before that, he had two straight no-decisions. One of his complete games and shutouts came this year. His ERA at home is 2.39 compared to 10.92 on the road.

So far this season, the Athletics offense has been one of the best power-hitting teams in the league, as they are 4th in home runs. However, they are just 25th in runs per game (4.1) and are batting a collective .230, which is 20th in the league. As a team, the Athletics are averaging 9 strikeouts per game, which is 27th in the MLB.

Brent Rooker has been a bright spot for the Athletics this season, as he is batting .290 with a team-leading 28 home runs and 81 RBIs. Rooker has also been swinging a hot bat of late, going 7/28 with three homers over his last eight games. Miguel Andujar has also been hitting the ball well, going 11/31 in his last eight games.

• 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 3-7 in their last ten games.
• The Athletics have an average of 2.8 runs per game over their last five games.
• Across their last ten home games, the Athletics are 6-4
• Looking back across the Athletics last five games as the favorite, they are 3-2
• Oakland has gone 1-2 in their last three games as the underdog
• In their ten most recent road games, the Athletics have averaged 5.4 runs per game on offense

The Lean

Today’s White Sox and Athletics matchup is our 9th ranked game in terms of runs scored, and our lean would be on the over. As for a straight-up pick, we like the Athletics to come out on top. Looking at the starting pitching matchup, we like the strikeout potential of Davis Martin, but we still have Joey Estes and the Athletics putting together a big game on offense.

The Chicago White Sox are set to face the Oakland Athletics on Wednesday afternoon in the final game of their three-game road series. The White Sox, who recently snapped a grueling 21-game losing streak with a victory on Tuesday night, are looking to create a winning streak for the first time since late June. This article examines the key elements that define this crucial matchup and the strategies the White Sox will employ to secure a consecutive win.

Breaking the Losing Streak

After tying the American League record for consecutive losses with 21, the White Sox finally triumphed over the Athletics with a 5-1 victory on Tuesday. This long-awaited win, powered by Jonathan Cannon’s pitching and Andrew Benintendi’s hitting, marked the White Sox’s first victory since July 10. The team’s morale was significantly boosted, providing a much-needed reprieve from the psychological pressure of a historic losing streak.

Andrew Benintendi: “Everybody here has heard the noise. It’s finally good to get the weight off our shoulders. Baseball players have a short memory. You know it’s a game of failure. Hopefully you don’t go through a streak like this, but it’s going to happen. To be able to get this one done, it gives us a night to relax a little bit.”

Benintendi’s comments underscore the mental toughness required to overcome such challenges in baseball, where failure is an inherent part of the game. The victory not only lifted the spirits of the players but also set the stage for the team to focus on building a positive momentum.

Pitching Matchup: Davis Martin vs. Joey Estes

The pitching matchup for Wednesday’s game will be pivotal in determining the outcome:

• Davis Martin: The White Sox will rely on right-hander Davis Martin, who is making his second start of the season. With a 0-1 record and a 7.11 ERA, Martin has struggled during the White Sox’s losing streak. He hasn’t secured a win since September 2022, but his performance will be crucial in maintaining the team’s newfound momentum.
• Joey Estes: The Athletics will counter with right-handed pitcher Joey Estes, one of their most dependable starters. The rookie has shown promise with a three-start unbeaten streak, including victories over strong teams like the Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers. With a 5-4 record and a 4.77 ERA, Estes aims to continue his successful run in his first career matchup with the White Sox.

Martin’s ability to deliver a strong performance will be critical, as he faces a revamped Athletics lineup. Notably, 13 of the 14 players who saw action in Martin’s previous game against Oakland are no longer with the team, posing a unique challenge for the White Sox pitcher.

Historical Context and Team Dynamics

The White Sox’s journey to overcome their losing streak is not just about statistics; it’s also about the psychological and historical context of the game:

Historical Significance

The White Sox came close to surpassing the modern-day major league record for consecutive losses, falling just two games short. This context adds depth to their victory and underscores the significance of their current position.

Team Morale and Dynamics

The victory against the Athletics allowed the team to reset and focus on building momentum. The players’ resilience and ability to stay focused during tough times were key factors in their triumph. Benintendi’s leadership and positive attitude were crucial in guiding the team through their challenging period.

Performance Trends

Before their recent victory, the White Sox had lost four consecutive games following each win since their last winning streak in June. This inconsistency highlights the importance of maintaining focus and building a sustainable winning strategy.

Oakland Athletics’ Perspective

The Oakland Athletics, despite their loss, recognized the significance of the White Sox’s victory:

Mark Kotsay, A’s Manager: “They pitched well. They deserved to win. They played a good, clean game. For that club over there, I’m sure they’re excited.”

Kotsay’s acknowledgment reflects the sportsmanship and mutual respect between the two teams. It also emphasizes the competitive nature of Major League Baseball, where teams can turn their fortunes around with perseverance and skill.

Key Factors for the White Sox

As the White Sox aim to build a winning streak, several factors will be crucial to their success:

Pitching Performance

Davis Martin must deliver a strong performance to give the White Sox a fighting chance. His ability to handle the Athletics’ lineup, which has undergone significant changes, will be pivotal.

Offensive Contributions

Players like Andrew Benintendi, who played a crucial role in the team’s recent victory, must continue to contribute offensively. The team’s batting lineup needs to capitalize on opportunities and maintain pressure on the Athletics’ pitching.

Mental Resilience

Maintaining a positive mindset and resilience will be vital as the White Sox navigate this critical phase of the season. The team must remain focused on their objectives and build on the momentum gained from their recent victory.

Conclusion

The Chicago White Sox have an opportunity to turn the tide and build a winning streak against the Oakland Athletics. After ending a record-tying losing streak, the team is poised to continue its upward trajectory. With strong pitching, offensive contributions, and mental resilience, the White Sox aim to secure a consecutive victory and create positive momentum for the remainder of the season.

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