Boston Red Sox vs Oakland Athletics Picks and Predictions July 11th 2024

Athletics on the Upswing After Snapping Skid Against Red Sox

The Oakland Athletics are looking to secure their second consecutive win and claim a series victory against the host Boston Red Sox in the rubber match of their three-game set on Thursday. Oakland, currently 5-3 in its last eight games, managed to snap a two-game skid with a 5-2 victory over Boston on Wednesday. Key contributors included Lawrence Butler, who hit a two-run double, Max Schuemann with two hits, and left-hander JP Sears, who pitched scoreless ball over the first five innings.

Butler has now recorded multiple RBIs in consecutive games for the first time in his career.

“It builds confidence, for sure,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “Those two balls he hit (on Wednesday) were missiles, and a huge momentum swing in the game.”

This victory also ended the Athletics’ four-game losing streak against the Red Sox and their last four games at Fenway Park.

Medina Takes the Mound

Luis Medina, who has been reinstated from the 60-day injured list in early June, will make his eighth start for Oakland, going 2-3 with a 4.37 earned run average. Saturday, Medina defeated the Baltimore Orioles and picked up his second victory of the season, giving up just one run in five innings to win 19-8. His ability to handle high-pressure situations, such as a bases-loaded jam in the third inning against Baltimore, was demonstrated by his third outing in the last four games in which he allowed just one run.

“Good thing that (catcher Shea Langeliers) and I got on the same plan together,” Medina said through interpreter Ramon Hernandez. “I was executing the pitches to get out of that inning, especially with a team like that.”

Medina has a successful track record against the Red Sox, having won his only career start against them by throwing 5 2/3 shutout innings on July 18, 2023.

Red Sox Recent Performance

After a five-game series of wins, the Red Sox have had blended results, going 2-2 in their last four games. In addition to Rob Refsnyder’s home run on Wednesday, Jarren Duran and Ceddanne Rafaela each had multiple hits. Refsnyder ended his own streak of going 0-for-12 with a home run in the sixth inning. This was the Boston player’s fifth consecutive home run game. No matter what this, the overall show was missing for win.

Alex Cora, the manager of the Red Sox, stated, “We didn’t do much.” We simply need to keep working. You just need to keep going.”

Despite this, Cora’s team is still 7-2 overall in its last nine games.

Houck’s Challenge

Tanner Houck, a right-hander who has a 7-6 record and a 2.68 earned run average, will pitch for Boston, hoping to repeat his dominant performance against Oakland earlier this season. On April 1, Houck struck out 10 Sports more than six innings of shutout, three-hit baseball. Nonetheless, Houck’s new excursions have been less fruitful, permitting 11 runs (eight acquired) in his last two beginnings against San Diego and the New York Yankees. Houck pitched just 3 1/3 innings in his most recent appearance, a no-decision on Friday at Yankee Stadium.

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Houck is one of baseball’s best pitchers because he has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 13 of his 18 starts, despite these recent setbacks.

Houck stated, “Lots of hard work days, a lot of hours spent having great conversations with people.” Everything reduces to having an amazing training staff and partners that backup you consistently and believe you should improve and push you to improve. I’m … simply attempting to absorb everything.”

Conclusion

The Athletics want to continue their recent success, and the Red Sox want to get back to winning, so the upcoming series finale will be crucial for both teams. Fans can anticipate an intriguing fight with both Luis Medina and Leather expert Houck pitching, as they each expect to direct their groups to progress.