The Athletics are scrambling for any spark to end their brutal nine-game skid, and they’re hoping newly promoted Logan Davidson can provide that. The 27-year-old was once a top prospect, though his path to the majors has been anything but linear. Known for his versatility, Davidson can play across the infield and outfield. This flexibility will be critical with Gio Urshela heading to the injured list with a left hamstring strain. The A’s hope Davidson can provide a jolt to their offense against Philadelphia this weekend, though his strikeout issues remain a concern. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Friday night baseball game between the Athletics and the Phillies.
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. Phillies prediction, preview
The Philadelphia Phillies enter this matchup with a powerful tailwind, fresh off a seven-game win streak. They’ve been dominant in every facet of the game, with their offense humming, and the pitching staff delivering. On the other hand, the Oakland Athletics are sinking fast, having lost their last nine games. As they face the surging Phillies, the gap in quality between these teams is glaringly obvious.
Zack Wheeler takes the mound for the Phillies, and he’s been nothing short of brilliant. The right-hander boasts a 5-1 record with a 2.67 ERA and a near-perfect 0.89 WHIP. Over his last two starts, Wheeler has thrown 13 scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and one walk. His ability to generate weak contact—ranking in the 98th percentile for expected ERA and 84th for hard-hit percentage—makes him a nightmare for any lineup, particularly the struggling Athletics. He’s been especially dominant in night games, with an ERA of 2.35 in evening contests this season. Oakland, who ranks 29th in runs scored and 30th in on-base percentage, will find it difficult to generate offense against Wheeler.
The Phillies’ offense, meanwhile, is firing on all cylinders. Kyle Schwarber leads the charge with 17 home runs and 37 RBIs, while Bryce Harper continues to heat up, batting .432 over his last 10 games. Trea Turner’s .303 average and Nick Castellanos’ .280 clip add depth to a lineup that ranks sixth in MLB for runs per game (4.86). Against left-handed pitchers, the Phillies have posted a .287 batting average, and with a possible Jeffrey Springs sighting on the mound for the A’s, they will look to exploit his 6.30 ERA at home this season. Springs, while effective recently, has struggled to control the game, walking 21 batters in 53 innings, a problem against a team like Philadelphia that thrives on working counts and getting on base.
Having said that, we still do not know who the A’s are sending to the mound to start tonight. I’m not sure it matters, but it’s worth noting. I do think we’ll see some of Springs, though.
Phillies vs. Athletics pick, best bet
While the Athletics’ offense features Brent Rooker, who has shown flashes of power (11 home runs), the overall production is lacking. Jacob Wilson, though hitting .342, doesn’t have enough power to change the game on his own. The A’s rank 27th in strikeouts and have been unable to generate consistent offense during their losing streak. The Athletics are also dealing with the injury of Gio Urshela, which led to Logan Davidson’s call-up.
Davidson, a 2019 first-round pick for the A’s, comes off a solid minor league season, posting a .303 batting average with 15 home runs and 23 doubles across 2024 and 2025 in Triple-A. Though Davidson has struck out at a 30.8% rate, his .400 OBP this season points to a good approach at the plate. His defensive versatility, playing across all four infield positions and the outfield, adds an element of flexibility but still lacks the proven impact at the MLB level. It’s a solid minor league resume, but he’s stepping into a difficult situation, especially against a pitcher like Wheeler.
Defensively, the Athletics are weak, sitting 24th in fielding percentage and 25th in defensive efficiency. This will be a problem against a Phillies offense that has been relentless. They’ve won seven straight games against teams with losing records, and Oakland’s defensive lapses will only compound their struggles.
As for the A’s pitching staff, it has been in disarray. Springs, despite his solid ERA, has been prone to mistakes when he falls behind in counts. His FIP of 4.10 on the season suggests he’s been fortunate, with his strikeout-to-walk ratio of just 2:1 failing to match the typical standards of a quality starting pitcher. For however long we see him tonight, it shouldn’t be sparkling.
Oakland’s bullpen has been equally shaky, posting a 5.33 ERA on the season, the second-worst in the league. Given that the A’s have been unable to hold leads and the Phillies have shown they can run away with games, expect this one to tilt in favor of Philadelphia. All Philadelphia. The A’s are too undermanned and outmatched to compete here—this one’s a runline.
Best bet: Phillies -1.5 (-120) at A’s
Davidson won’t be the savior tonight!—tail it with me in the DKN Betting Group here!
