Kyle Hendricks (10-7, 2.22 ERA) gets the ball for the Chicago Cubs (68-41) as they meet Sean Manaea (3-6, 4.68 ERA) and the Oakland Athletics (48-62) in the last of a three-game series at O.C. Coliseum. The Cubs won the last game 4-0, extending a six-game winning streak. The game starts at 4:05 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 7 and will air on WGN and CSCA.
In his most recent outing, Manaea pitched 5.2 innings, giving up five runs (one unearned), striking out four and walking three in a 5-4 loss to the Angels. Khris Davis (.254, 54 Rs, 27 HRs, 69 RBIs, 1 SB) went 1 for 4 yesterday. The Cubs were victorious the last time Hendricks pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 9.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out five and walking three in a 5-0 victory over the Marlins. Anthony Rizzo (.286, 67 Rs, 24 HRs, 79 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Oakland is a +163 underdog in this game, and the Over/Under (O/U) is eight runs. When playing as the underdog, the Athletics have a 32-40 record and overall money line at -1,123. They come into the game with concerning records of 2-7 as the underdog and 5-11 SU against the National League.
On the other side, the Cubs have a nice record of 63-33 when they are favored, but are -331 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 9-1 SU and has played well as the favorite with an 8-1 record. The Cubs rank second in the NL in scoring, averaging 5.1 runs per game. Chicago is one of the top road hitting teams in the NL with an average of 9.4 hits per contest. Chicago has an eye for the strike zone, averaging an NL-best 4.2 walks per game. The Cubs are the top pitching staff in the NL, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of 3.4 runs allowed per game. They have a WHIP of 1.122 on the year, the best in the league.
The previous two games have all gone Chicago’s way. This game will feature Hendricks (RHP) on the mound against the Athletics, who have a 36-45 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Cubs will be the left-hander Manaea. Southpaws starters haven’t been a big issue for them as they sport records of 10-4 on the road and 25-11 overall.
Predictions: SU Winner – CHC, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Chicago is 37-18, while Oakland is 17-25.
The Cubs are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Athletics have an 8-23 record when opponents give up one walk or less.
When they are outhit, the Athletics are 12-50. The Cubs have a 7-26 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 20th in home runs, Oakland has hit 120 this season. Chicago ranks 14th with 132 home runs.
Oakland and Chicago both rank in the top 10 of the league in hits. Oakland sits at 10th with 8.59 hits per game and Chicago ranks seventh with 8.62.
Ranking 25th, Oakland is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.709). Chicago ranks in the top five at third with an OPS of .772.
When the Cubs allow at least one home run, they are 34-33. When the Athletics allow one or more homers, they have a 22-50 record.
