Scheduled for a 2:20 PM start on September 18, 2024, at the iconic Wrigley Field, the Chicago Cubs are set to clash with the Oakland Athletics under a forecast of clear skies. Brady Basso, with an impressive ERA of 1.227, will be taking the pitcher’s mound for the Athletics. Meanwhile, the Cubs will counter with Justin Steele, who carries a 3.094 ERA.

As of the latest update in the 2024 AL West Division standings, the Oakland Athletics hold the 13th spot with a 66-86 record, reflecting a .43 winning percentage. They have managed 21 wins against 25 losses within their division, situating them 4th in AL West. Exhibiting a mix of recent performance, they’ve captured 4 wins out of their last 10 games, entering this matchup on a single game winning streak. The Athletics have a split of 36-39 at home and 30-47 on the road, and they have won 27 day games compared to 39 in night games. They’ve netted a total of 613 runs while giving up 714 runs.

On the NL Central front, the Chicago Cubs are positioned 8th with a 77-74 record, achieving a .51 winning percentage. Their divisional exploits include 21 wins and 28 losses, ranking them 2nd in the NL Central. Their recent form shows 5 victories in their last 10 appearances, despite a recent loss. At home, the Cubs hold a 39-34 record, slightly better than their 38-40 road record. They have won 36 day games and 41 night games, scoring 695 runs and allowing 630 in return.

Focusing on the betting odds, the game is marked with a point spread of -1.5 and an over/under of 7.5. For those looking at money line betting, the Athletics are listed at +140, making them slight underdogs against the Cubs who are favored at -165. This sets up an intriguing showdown as the Cubs look to capitalize on their home advantage against the battling Athletics.