In a thrilling MLB encounter, the 9-14 Oakland Athletics face off against the 15-8 New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. Joe Boyle takes the mound for Oakland with a 7.23 ERA, while Clarke Schmidt, boasting a 3.15 ERA, starts for New York. The previous meeting saw the Athletics edge out a 2-0 victory. Elevate your MLB game with our top-notch MLB picks.

The Athletics find themselves trying to overcome a slow start to the season, evidenced by poor offensive stats. Ranking 28th in batting average (.204) and 29th in runs (65), Oakland's lineup struggles to make impactful plays. Key players like Shea Langeliers and Zack Gelof have yet to live up to expectations, with Langeliers batting a mere .169. The team's power metrics are also low, with a slugging percentage of just .339, indicating a significant lack of extra-base hits. This lack of offensive firepower has been a major contributor to the team´s losing record thus far.

On the pitching side, Oakland's performance is slightly more encouraging but still presents challenges. The team's ERA stands at 4.00, which is average league-wide. Joe Boyle’s high ERA is concerning, as it suggests he often puts the team in difficult situations early in games. Furthermore, injuries to key pitchers like Scott Alexander and Luis Medina strain the team's depth and ability to manage games from the mound, making it tough to hold off opponents over nine innings.

The Yankees are proving to be formidable this season, supported by a solid lineup and effective pitching. Clarke Schmidt’s promising start, marked by a 3.15 ERA, exemplifies New York's strength on the mound. The team's offensive output is more robust than Oakland’s, with a batting average of .234 and a slugging percentage of .363. Players like Giancarlo Stanton, who is hitting .232 with a .493 slugging percentage, and Anthony Volpe, provide the Yankees with much-needed consistency and the ability to drive in runs, making them tough competitors in the AL East.

Defensively, the Yankees excel, boasting the third-best ERA in the league at 2.95 and ranking seventh in batting average against at .224. This pitching effectiveness is pivotal in keeping games within reach and often tilts close games in the Yankees favor. New York's depth and talent across the roster allow them to adapt and overcome when injuries raise their head, making them a tough opponent for any team.

NFL Wildcard Sunday NFC Rapid Fire Picks - 1/5/20

Download the Picks and Parlays Mobile App