Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction: Can Athletics' Bats Get To Luis Cessa?

Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction: Can Athletics' Bats Get To Luis Cessa?

The Athletics are the worst team in baseball, and it’s not even close. Currently sitting at 5-21, this team may have the worst collection of pitchers in MLB history. With rumors that Kyle Muller’s start may be getting pushed for Drew Rucinski to make his A’s debut tonight. Rucinski hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2018 and is currently (-110) to defeat the Cincinnati Reds, who just swept the Texas Rangers. Are these odds crazy, or is it just me?

Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds Prediction

Drew Rucinski hasn’t pitched in the major leagues since 2018 because he signed a four-year contract with the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization. The veteran right-hander seems to have made the right adjustments in Korea like many lost pitchers do over the years. Merrill Kelly took a trip to Korea for a few years before returning to the United States and rejuvenating his career in Arizona.

Nick Martinez on the Padres did the same thing. If these pitchers are brought back from the KBO, they typically perform much better in their second MLB stint. Rucinski had a 5.33 career ERA in his first MLB stint but a 3.06 ERA and 53 wins with the NC Dinos from 2019-2022. Could Rucinski have figured something out like many of the current MLB pitchers who took a trip to the KBO?

Whether it’s Rucinski or Muller pitching tonight, the line is crazy either way. Oakland shouldn’t be the betting favorite or (-110) in any game, let alone when facing the Reds on a three-game winning streak.

The Athletics’ problem isn’t their offense. It's been their pitching that’s killed pretty much every chance Oakland’s had to win a baseball game this year. Out of the 30 Major League Baseball teams, Oakland ranks dead last in pitching with an 8.01 ERA and only three quality starts.

The Chicago White Sox are 29th in ERA, right above the Athletics, and have a 5.75 team ERA. That’s a 2.26 difference between the second-to-last and last-ranked White Sox and Athletics. This pitching staff isn’t just bad, and they could finish the season as the worst in MLB history. But tonight, with a fresh new face on the mound in his return from the KBO, Rucinski should be able to provide the Athletics with something they’ve been looking for all season… a quality start.

You won’t often see the Athletics with a minus symbol in front of their odds of winning a baseball game this year. When you do, it’s probably for a reason. Back Oakland’s underrated offense to hit up one of the worst starting pitchers in baseball tonight. Luis Cessa might not have been pitching in Korea the past few years, but he does have nearly an 11 ERA. It may sound crazy, but this may be the first game the Athletics have the pitching advantage in 2023; take advantage of it.

Oakland Athletics vs. Cincinnati Reds Pick

Oakland Athletics ML (-105) Click here to see which sportsbooks have the best odds for this play

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