It’s the conclusion of an interleague series from Oakland on Thursday afternoon, meaning the Cincinnati Reds will again be adding the designated hitter in the AL park. However, the Athletics are favored on the MLB betting lines behind Chris Bassitt.
How to Bet Reds vs Athletics MLB Odds & Game Info
- When: Thursday, 3:37 PM ET
- Where: Oakland Coliseum
- Probable pitchers (away/home): Tanner Roark/Chris Bassitt
- TV: MLB Network
- Live Stream: MLB.tv
- Radio: The Game 95.7 FM
- MLB Odds: Oakland Athletics -145 (total 8.5)
Why Bet on Cincinnati?
Reds closer Raisel Iglesias isn’t happy, claiming to the media this week that the Reds are using him “horribly wrong.” The Reds told Iglesias this spring that they wanted to use him in a non-traditional role, but it hasn’t worked out as anyone would have hoped. Through 15 appearances, he’s allowed nine runs on 17 hits (including four homers) and seven walks in 16 2/3 innings, already losing five games. He has a 3.86 ERA in nine appearances in save situations compared to a 6.14 ERA in six appearances in non-save situations.
“We talked and we’re good,” manager David Bell said. “It was just an opportunity to talk about how important he is to this team. We need him. Just comes down to it is doing what’s best for the team and what’s needed for the team. He’s good with it.” Bell didn’t specify whether Iglesias’ role would change in the bullpen. Iglesias had six saves in eight opportunities.
The Reds aren’t hitting much – they were no-hit on Tuesday by Oakland’s Mike Fiers. Cincinnati’s.212 batting average is last in the majors. Its .290 on-base percentage is 26th, and its .393 slugging percentage is 23rd. Of the team’s offensive players, only six have an OPS better than the league average of .732.
Tanner Roark (2-1, 3.82) allowed two runs and four hits in 6 2/3 innings on Saturday vs. the Giants, with season highs in innings, strikeouts (7) and pitches (113). It was a very nice way to bounce back after yielding a season-high four runs in his last start.
Roark has faced the A’s twice in his career and has limited them to just five earned runs in 15 1/3 innings, with one walk and nine strikeouts.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.08
- Hits: 6.95
- Walks: 3.27
- Strike Outs: 8.73
Defense
- Runs: 3.54
- Hits: 7.54
- Walks: 3.32
- Strike Outs: 9.59
Why Bet on Oakland?
Mike Fiers no-hit the Reds on Tuesday in a game delayed 98 minutes because of a lighting malfunction. It was Fiers’ his second career no-hitter and the first no-no of the 2019 season in a 2-0 victory. It was the 300th no-hitter in MLB history, including the postseason.
Eugenio Suárez swung and missed at Fiers’ 131st pitch of the night and Fiers hopped off the mound and hugged catcher Josh Phegley. His teammates mobbed him in front of the mound. The last time the Reds were no-hit was April 21, 2016, against Jake Arrieta in a 16-0 loss to the Chicago Cubs. Fiers joined Max Scherzer, Jake Arrieta, Justin Verlander and Homer Bailey as active pitchers with two no-hitters. Fiers entered the game with a 6.81 ERA in eight starts. That’s the highest ERA for any player throwing a no-hitter with at least 25 innings entering the start.
All-Star closer Blake Treinen (elbow) was warming up in the ninth inning of Tuesday night’s game. Treinen probably would have entered the game immediately had Fiers allowed a hit, but Fiers went on to complete the second no-hitter of his career. Treinen hasn’t pitched since April 28 because of right elbow tendinitis, but he should handle the next save opportunity that comes along for the Athletics.
Before Tuesday’s game, the A’s activated first baseman Matt Olson from the 10-day injured list. He suffered a hamate bone fracture during the team’s season-opening series in Japan and had been on the IL ever since. Olson was 0-for-3.
Chris Bassitt (1-0, 2.12) starts here. Bassitt allowed three runs on five hits with six strikeouts and two walks in a no-decision against the Pirates on Saturday. The Athletics spotted Bassitt a three-run lead, but he coughed that up by allowing two home runs to Josh Bell. He then left with a one-run lead, but the bullpen gave up three runs in the loss.
Team Stats
Offense- Runs: 4.63
- Hits: 8.26
- Walks: 3.47
- Strike Outs: 7.55
Defense
- Runs: 4.74
- Hits: 8.39
- Walks: 3.39
- Strike Outs: 7.87
Reds vs Athletics MLB Betting Trends
- Reds are 2-5 SU in their last 7 games
- The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Cincinnati’s last 5 games on the road
- Athletics are 5-0 SU in their last 5 games at home
- The total has gone OVER in 4 of Oakland’s last 6 games against an opponent in the National League Central division
- Reds are 57-87 against the money line against right-handed starters over the last 2 seasons
- Athletics are 61-37 against the money line in home games after a win over the last 3 seasons
- Roark is 1-0 when starting against OAKLAND with an ERA of 2.93 and a WHIP of 0.522
Expert Final Score Prediction for Reds vs Athletics
Cincinnati Reds 3 – Oakland Athletics 4
