Baltimore finally has a series it cannot waste. The Orioles won Friday in ten innings, then survived Saturday’s repeated traffic for a 5-3 victory. They have homered in 16 of 17 games and now sit one win from .500. The Athletics have lost both games while committing four errors and batting 4-for-21 with runners in scoring position. That carelessness becomes harder to overcome with five important regulars unavailable. Brent Rooker, Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, Tyler Soderstrom, and Jacob Wilson are all out. Baltimore’s sweep bid carries September urgency, and its lineup owns the clearest scoring advantage. Below is my preview, prediction, and pick for today’s baseball game between the Athletics and the Baltimore Orioles.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Athletics vs. Orioles prediction, preview
Chris Bassitt’s 4.74 ERA and 1.55 WHIP make him difficult to trust without looking closer. He returned from back surgery on August 14 and has looked considerably sharper in three starts. Bassitt has allowed six earned runs across 17.2 innings, with 14 strikeouts against four walks. His latest turn produced 6.2 innings of one-run baseball in St. Louis, without a walk. Bassitt still lacks dominant velocity and carries a 4.53 FIP. However, his contact management has held firm near 87.7 mph and 35.7% hard hits. His sinker, curveball, and cutter account for roughly 80% of a seven-pitch mix. That range gives this young Athletics order plenty to diagnose.
The Athletics can still make Bassitt uncomfortable if his command backs up. Henry Bolte collected two hits Saturday, while Lawrence Butler reached three times. Bassitt has allowed 89 hits in 74 innings, so the season-long traffic concerns remain valid. This version of the Athletics cannot keep wasting those chances. Saturday produced ten hits and six walks, yet only three runs crossed. Jonah Heim erased two threats with double plays, and the defense handed Baltimore another insurance run. The available lineup contains useful contact, although most of its established power resides on the injured list. Bassitt’s recent strike-throwing should force these hitters to string together several clean at-bats.
Jeffrey Springs gives Baltimore repeated chances to separate. Springs owns a 6.08 ERA, 1.50 WHIP, and 30 home runs allowed across 118.1 innings. His home work has been even worse: a 6.71 ERA, .912 opposing OPS, and 18 homers across 63 innings. Neither handedness has offered safety. Left-handed hitters own an .882 OPS against him, compared with .865 for right-handed hitters. Springs has also allowed six runs with five walks and four strikeouts since returning from a hip injury. His four-seamer leads the mix at 43.8%, followed by the changeup and slider. Batters have slugged .549 against the fastball and .626 against the slider. Those two pitches have cost him 21 runs.
Orioles vs. Athletics pick, best bet
Baltimore’s expected order can punish both mistakes. Pete Alonso has 32 homers and 91 RBIs. Gunnar Henderson remains dangerous against any lefty with a vulnerable fastball. Christian Encarnacion-Strand and Coby Mayo give Springs two more right-handed threats through the middle. Colton Cowser homered Saturday, and Leody Taveras doubled twice after entering the night hitless in 12 straight at-bats. This has not been an elite offense across six months. Its .236 average and uneven situational hitting explain the losing record. The current version has still produced a homer almost nightly. Warm afternoon air in West Sacramento should reward another well-struck mistake.
Baltimore used five relievers Saturday, which puts pressure on Bassitt to supply six innings. That is a fair concern after every late Baltimore arm faced traffic. The Athletics’ relief group has also improved recently, posting a 3.31 ERA over the past week. Its full-season damage remains extensive. Four relievers worked Saturday, while Springs supplied only 10.1 innings across his first two starts back. Baltimore should reach the middle innings with a lead, then continue adding against a thin roster. The moneyline costs −142, while a two-run victory pays plus money. That difference is worth accepting in a matchup Baltimore should control from the first trip through the order.
Best bet: Orioles −1.5 (+102)
Projected score: Orioles 7, Athletics 3
Best bet: Orioles -1.5 (+100)
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