Chicago Cubs at Oakland Athletics odds, picks and predictions

The Chicago Cubs (8-6) and Oakland Athletics (3-13) swing into a 3-game series at Oakland Coliseum Monday. First pitch is 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Cubs vs. Athletics odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: First meeting of 2023. These clubs have not met since 2019.

Chicago took 2 of 3 games from the Los Angeles Dodgers over the weekend. The Cubs are 4-2 over their last 6 games.

The Athletics were swept by the New York Mets over the weekend and are just 1-10 across their last 11 games. Oakland ranks last in MLB in pitching/defense with 7.81 runs allowed per game and owns an 8.45 ERA over that 11-game stretch.

Cubs at Athletics projected starters

RHP Hayden Wesneski vs. LHP Kyle Muller

Wesneski (0-0, 7.50 ERA) is tabbed for his 3rd start. He has a 2.83 WHIP, 9.0 BB/9 and 6.0 K/9 through 6 IP.

• Posted a 2.33 over 33 IP in his rookie season in 2022
• Has already allowed the same number of home runs (3) he did in his solid rookie season

Muller (0-0, 5.52 ERA) makes his 4th start of the 2023 season. Muller owns a 1.50 WHIP, 4.3 BB/9 and 6.8 K/9 through 14 2/3 IP.

• Has a 5.23 ERA in 63 2/3 career IP (2021-23)
• Was roughed up for 6 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks with 3 K over 4 innings in his last start at the Baltimore Orioles Tuesday

Cubs at Athletics odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:28 a.m. ET.

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Cubs at Athletics picks and predictions

Prediction

Cubs 6, Athletics 3

The Cubs have analytic support figures that indicate better days ahead on both sides of the runs/runs allowed equation, but they are more worth some action on the Run Line.

PASS.

Wesneski had a strong Cactus League campaign (2.12 ERA, 22 K, 6 BB in 17 IP), and it is worth looking past his clunker and taking Chicago to get by with a lead of 2 or more in this one.

The Cubs should have gotten a shot of confidence with their weekend performance against the Dodgers. Oakland’s bullpen has in some respects pitched worse than what shows in its 6.11 ERA.

TAKE CHICAGO -1.5 (+125).

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The Over is 10-5-1 in Oakland’s games.

A 15-mile-an-hour breeze to right-center field is in the forecast. Consider a partial-unit play on the Over 8 if the price drops. Otherwise, PASS.

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