Oakland A’s vs Blue Jays: Bassitt Dominates Former Club in Clash of Titans

The Toronto Blue Jays Look to Continue Momentum Against the Oakland A’s

The Series Win Against the Marlins

The Toronto Blue Jays secured a much-needed series win against the Miami Marlins earlier this week, and now they are aiming to carry that momentum into the upcoming weekend series against the struggling Oakland A’s. The Blue Jays will have the advantage of playing at home in Toronto, and their former teammate, Chris Bassitt, will take the mound for Friday night’s game.

Bassitt‘s Return to Face His Former Team

Chris Bassitt spent six seasons as a member of the Oakland A’s before joining the Blue Jays. He has the opportunity to pitch against his former teammates, holding the advantage of familiarity with their playing style and tendencies. This could potentially give him an upper hand in the game. Bassitt recently faced his former team, the New York Mets, and had an impressive performance, shutting them out over 7 2/3 innings while striking out eight.

Bassitt‘s Recent Performance

Although Bassitt has had a rough patch in his last few starts, it is important to consider the circumstances. Three of his last five starts were against two of the best lineups in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles and the Texas Rangers, and were played on the road. In contrast, Bassitt has performed exceptionally well at home at the Rogers Centre, allowing only two earned runs on nine hits in his last 24 innings pitched there.

Considerations for the A’s Lineup

The Oakland A’s currently rank poorly in key offensive statistics like batting average and OPS against right-handed pitchers. They are also 28th in wRC+ (weighted runs created plus), indicating their struggling offense. This puts them at a disadvantage against Bassitt, who has proven to be effective against strong lineups.

Focusing on Shea Langeliers

One particular player to keep an eye on is A’s catcher Shea Langeliers, who is having a tough season. Langeliers is currently hitting below the Mendoza line with a .199 average and a .623 OPS in 65 games. He is also in an extended slump, with just three hits and 11 strikeouts in his last 36 plate appearances over the past 10 games. Langeliers has never faced Bassitt before, and this adds further challenge to his plate appearances.

Editorial: Betting Insights

Considering the factors mentioned above, there is an opportunity for betting enthusiasts to find value in the game. A bet on Shea Langeliers Under 0.5 hits at plus money is suggested. With the Blue Jays’ strong bullpen and Langeliers’ recent struggles, it is likely that he will have another challenging night at the plate.

Advice on Same-Game Parlay

In addition to the main bet, a same-game parlay can be designed to increase potential winnings. Ryan Noda, another struggling player from the A’s lineup, can be included in the parlay with Under 0.5 hits. On the contrary, veteran Brandon Belt of the Blue Jays, who has been performing exceptionally well since May, can be considered for Over 0.5 hits.

Analysis of Moneyline and Over/Under

Blue Jays’ Favoritism and Pitching Matchup

The Toronto Blue Jays are heavily favored in this matchup, as the A’s have the worst record in Major League Baseball with only 19 wins. Chris Bassitt‘s return to the mound against his former team gives the Blue Jays an added advantage.

Considerations for the A’s Offense

While the A’s lineup has struggled this season, it is worth noting that they will be facing James Kaprielian, who has been better than his ERA suggests. However, Kaprielian has a low strikeout rate, struggles with walks, and has a high expected slugging percentage against. This provides an opportunity for the Blue Jays’ lineup, which ranks fifth in batting average, ninth in OPS, and fourth in wRC+ against right-handed pitchers.

Concerns about the Blue Jays’ Inconsistent Offense

Despite the Blue Jays’ offensive potential, they have been inconsistent this season, ranking 25th in batting average with runners in scoring position. Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s recent performance and Bo Bichette’s injury may also play a factor. Taking these uncertainties into account, it becomes challenging to fully support the Blue Jays at such a large spread.

Potential for Under Bet

Given the Blue Jays’ recent offensive struggles and the likelihood of Bassitt bouncing back in a favorable matchup at home, there is a slight lean towards the Under in this game. The total set at 9 runs may be a tad too high, considering the recent offensive performance of the Blue Jays.

Trends and Additional Analysis

Recent trends show that the Under has hit in six of the A’s last seven overall games and in 11 of the Blue Jays’ last 18 home games with a total set between 9.0 and 10.5. These trends further support the possibility of a lower-scoring game.

The Game Details

Location and Date

The game will take place at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario, on Friday, June 23, 2023.

Starting Pitchers

The starting pitchers for the game will be James Kaprielian for the Oakland A’s and Chris Bassitt for the Toronto Blue Jays.

Conclusion

In summary, the Toronto Blue Jays have the advantage in their upcoming series against the struggling Oakland A’s. Chris Bassitt‘s return to face his former team and his strong performances at home provide an edge to the Blue Jays. Betting opportunities can be found by focusing on the struggles of A’s catcher Shea Langeliers and adding players like Ryan Noda and Brandon Belt to a same-game parlay. Additionally, the Under bet and the potential for a lower-scoring game should be considered due to the recent offensive inconsistencies of the Blue Jays.