Neither the Athletics (45-67) or Reds (53-58) were particularly busy during Monday’s MLB trade deadline. Instead of selling off key pieces, these sub-.500 clubs opted to keep their rosters intact. With over a third of the season to go, the next few months will be key for building a winning culture heading into 2027. What should bettors expect during Tuesday’s battle between rebuilding squads?
The Reds are favorites (-128) over the Athletics, with the over/under set at nine runs. Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Tuesday’s showdown between the A’s and Cincinnati on DraftKings Sportsbook.
Athletics vs. Reds pick, best bet today
- Athletics vs. Reds under nine runs (-117): Ginn has been a rare pitching standout for the A’s, and now he gets to face a terrible Reds offense. As for Singer, he’s looked more like himself over the past two months. The Athletics, without several standout hitters, are unlikely to break this one open.
Athletics vs. Reds prediction, preview
A season that started with a shred of hope has quickly devolved into disappointment for the A’s. That’s especially true when it comes to the pitching staff, where the team has struggled to get any kind of consistency. To be fair, taking the mound at hitter-friendly Sutter Health Park hasn’t helped matters. If anyone on this subpar roster can claim ace status, it’s likely J.T. Ginn. Through 109.1 innings of work (19 starts), the right-hander has delivered a 3.46 ERA, 1.22 WHIP and 100 strikeouts (8.2 K/9). It’ll be his first start since July 18th, sidelined due to a finger blister.
On paper, this Reds lineup doesn’t look like much of a challenge. They’re 26th in runs scored (462), 30th in batting average (.230) and 24th in on-base percentage (.310). Elly De La Cruz remains a bright spot, slashing .276/.355/.500 with 18 homers and 20 stolen bases. However, the standouts on this roster are few and far between. Just four batters on the active roster have a wRC+ above 100 (min. 100 plate appearances). The one thing Cincinnati does well is hit homers, ranking sixth in that category (145). However, Ginn places within the 75th percentile in ground ball rate (47.4%).
The home team will counter with Brady Singer this evening. It’s been a middling campaign from the righty, enjoying his seventh season as a big leaguer. Over 107.2 innings (21 starts), he’s accounted for a 4.35 ERA, 1.42 WHIP and 91 strikeouts (7.6 K/9). Most troubling, Singer is on the hook for a whopping 1.8 HR/9 ratio. With that being said, the veteran has been an above-average hurler over the past two months. During ten outings since June 1st, he’s posted a 3.34 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. On his birthday, it’s not unreasonable to think the 30-year-old can keep the good times rolling.
That’s especially true when considering who Singer will be facing on Tuesday. Despite their reputation as an offensively-minded club, the Athletics haven’t been scoring much recently. The team has scored 29 runs over its last ten contests; only the Angels (28) have been worse during that stretch. Injuries to Shea Langeliers (knee), Jacob Wilson (knee) and Nick Kurtz (hand) have only made matters worse for the A’s. Away from home, this group is averaging baseball’s seventh-fewest runs per game (4.08). In addition, the Athletics have hit the third-fewest home runs on the road this season (51).
Best Bet: Athletics vs. Reds under nine runs (-117)
The Athletics, in their current form, are a paper tiger at the plate. Singer’s recent improvement will only make things more difficult for the visitors. As for Ginn, his ground ball-heavy approach should keep an all-or-nothing Reds lineup inside of the park. Nine runs, despite Tuesday’s hitter-friendly venue, feels generous.
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