A's vs. Mariners Prediction: Chris Bassitt Attempts to Keep Oakland’s Playoff Hopes Alive in Return

The Oakland A’s have lost three consecutive games, pushing them 3.5 games out of a wild card spot in the American League, but they will get a boost on the mound on Thursday against the Seattle Mariners. 

Chris Bassitt, the team’s ace, will make his return against Seattle just five weeks after he was hit in the head with a 100 mph line drive. 

Bassitt’s recovery comes at the perfect time for the A’s as they need a win on Thursday to have any chance of making the playoffs. Right now, Oakland is behind the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Mariners in the wild card race. 

WynnBET Sportsbook has Oakland as a -160 favorite with Bassitt on the mound against Yusei Kikuchi. Bettors who think the A’s can win by multiple runs can take Oakland to cover the 1.5-run line at favorable +125 odds. 

Bassitt was having a great season before he was struck with the line drive, as he posted a 12-4 record with a 3.22 earned run average in 25 starts.

Kikuchi, who made the All-Star team this season, has struggled mightily since the All-Star break. After hitters were batting just .204 against the lefty in the first half of the season, Kikuchi has gotten knocked around since the break. Opponents are hitting .301 against Kikuchi in the second half, and he’s gone just 1-5 with a 5.82 earned run average in 12 starts. 

A’s vs. Mariners Prediction and Pick

Kikuchi has not been the same pitcher he was in the first half, and September has been particularly bad for the lefty, with opponents hitting .378 against him over three starts. Kikuchi’s splits on the road are slightly worse than he’s been at home (4.44 ERA vs. 4.21 ERA) and I don’t think this is the start he turns things around .

The A’s desperately need this game to salvage the series and their playoff hopes, and Bassitt should give the team a major lift on the mound. Oakland is 17-8 in Bassitt’s starts this season, and he’s been on fire prior to the game he was injured in, allowing just one run over his last 20.0 innings ahead of that outing. 

I’m going to ride with the A’s as favorites in this one, and I will take the favorable +125 odds for them to win by multiple runs. Bassitt may not pitch deep into the game since it’s his first start back, but the A’s have a solid bullpen (3.96 ERA this season) that should be able to hold on in a must-win matchup. 

Can the A’s keep their playoff hopes alive? Make your pick at WynnBET.