A’s vs. Cubs game thread

Looking to snap this 3-game losing streak

Oakland is set for the middle game of the series against the Cubs, looking to end this skid and get back into the win column against a Chicago team still fighting for a playoff spot.

The A’s will be turning to Rule 5 rookie Mitch Spence for the start today. The righty has shown tons of growth here in his first year as a big league pitcher. He’s been on a roll over his past three starts as well, allowing five runs over 16 ¹⁄₃ innings pitched. He’ll be hoping to keep up those quality results tonight as he tries to finish off his rookie season strong and on a high note heading into the offseason.

Here is how the Green & Gold will line up behind Spence for tonight’s matchup:

As you can see we get our leadoff man back in there tonight as Lawrence Butler retakes his spot atop the batting order. And with a left-handed hitter on the mound for Chicago the club is going with the right-handed hitters throughout the rest of the lineup. That means Tyler Nevin in at first base while lefty-swinging Tyler Soderstrom takes a seat on the bench.

The Oakland lineup will be going up against former 1st-round pick Jordan Wicks tonight. Wicks has only made nine big league starts this season for the Cubs after suffering an oblique injury earlier this season. He’s since returned to the starting five for the Cubs but the results have been less than stellar as he has an ERA over 5 as of this posting. The Athletics need to take advantage of Wicks if he continues to falter here at the end of the 2024 season.

Here is how the Cubbies will line up against Mitch Spence for tonight’s contest:

Let’s go A’s! Snap this skid!