The upcoming MLB showdown between the Oakland Athletics and the Chicago Cubs is set for a clear evening on September 17, 2024, at Chicago’s iconic Wrigley Field. The first pitch is slated for 7:40 PM. Oakland will send Mitch Spence to the mound, carrying an ERA of 4.325, to face Chicago’s Jordan Wicks, who has posted an ERA of 5.268 this season. As the Athletics struggle in the AL West with a 65-86 record, ranking them 13th, and a recent streak of three consecutive losses, the Cubs find themselves better positioned in the NL Central with a record of 77-73, holding the 8th spot.

The Athletics are trying to improve their record, having won just four of their last ten games, while Cubs are on a two-game winning streak. Oakland, at 4th in their division, faces pitching challenges and a road record of 29 wins to 47 losses, whereas the Cubs have shown better form at home with a 39-33 record.

Betting odds are also vital in assessing this match-up. For this game, the point spread is set at -1.5, favoring the Chicago Cubs, with an over/under of 8.0, suggesting expectations of a moderately high-scoring game. In the MoneyLine betting, the Cubs are set at -166, indicating they are the favorites. Meanwhile, for those favoring the Athletics, the Away Team MoneyLine stands at +141, presenting a potential payoff for a riskier bet. As always, consider this information cautiously while placing your bets.