The Oakland Athletics will be facing off against the Baltimore Orioles in an intriguing MLB matchup. Both teams are looking to rebound from subpar 2022 seasons and make a push towards the playoffs in 2023.
The Athletics will be sending right-hander Chris Bassitt to the mound for this game. Bassitt had a breakout season in 2021, posting a 3.03 ERA and striking out 177 batters in 181.2 innings pitched. He features a mid-90s fastball, a slider, and a changeup and has established himself as one of the top pitchers in the American League. The Athletics will be relying on him to shut down the Orioles offense.
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On the offensive side, the Athletics are led by first baseman Matt Olson. Olson is a power-hitting left-handed bat who hit 39 home runs and drove in 111 runs last season. He is one of the best first basemen in the game and is a threat to go deep every time he steps to the plate. The Athletics will also be relying on third baseman Matt Chapman, who hit 25 home runs and drove in 65 runs last season. The Athletics have a solid lineup that can put up runs in a hurry, and they’ll be looking to do just that against the Orioles.
The Orioles will be countering with left-hander John Means. Means had a solid 2022 season, posting a 3.70 ERA and striking out 147 batters in 155.2 innings pitched. He features a fastball, changeup, and slider and has established himself as a reliable starter in the American League. The Orioles will be relying on him to keep the Athletics offense in check.
Offensively, the Orioles are led by outfielder Cedric Mullins. Mullins had a breakout 2022 season, hitting .291 with 33 home runs, 96 RBI, and 30 stolen bases. He is a dynamic player who can do it all, and the Orioles will be relying on him to continue his strong play in 2023. The Orioles will also be relying on first baseman Trey Mancini, who hit 27 home runs and drove in 90 runs last season. The Orioles have a solid lineup, but they’ll need to be firing on all cylinders if they want to compete with the Athletics.
In the end, this game could come down to which team can execute better in the clutch. Both teams have talent, but it’s the team that makes the big plays and gets the key hits that will come out on top.
Overall, the Oakland Athletics vs. Baltimore Orioles matchup is one that baseball fans won’t want to miss. With strong pitching, explosive offenses, and two teams with a lot to prove, this game is sure to be a thriller. Whether you’re a fan of the Athletics or the Orioles, or just a baseball fan in general, this is a game that you won’t want to miss.