Game Summary

The Milwaukee Brewers (73-54, 1st in NL Central) visit the Oakland Athletics (55-73, 4th in AL West) as they open a three-game series at the Oakland Coliseum on Friday, August 23, 2024, at 9:40 p.m. EDT. Both teams come into this game with a desire to secure a win, with the Brewers looking to strengthen their position in the playoff race while the Athletics aim to build momentum after a mixed bag of recent performances.

In their last 10 games, the Brewers have struggled at the plate, posting a .204 batting average while being outscored by six runs. On the other hand, the Athletics have fared better, with a .241 batting average and an ERA of 3.20 during the same stretch, outscoring their opponents by four runs. This matchup marks the first meeting between the two teams this season, and both will be looking to establish dominance early in the series.

When looking at historical matchups, the Brewers have had the upper hand against the Athletics in recent seasons, but the Athletics are always a tough opponent at home. The Brewers rely on their solid pitching staff, while the Athletics are known for their power-hitting capabilities, highlighted by Brent Rooker, who leads the Athletics with 29 home runs this season.

Milwaukee's recent struggles can be attributed to various factors, including injuries to key players like Christian Yelich and Brandon Woodruff. On the flip side, the Athletics have also been plagued by injuries, with Esteury Ruiz and several pitchers on the IL, but they still managed to put together a competitive lineup.

As the two teams prepare for this matchup, all eyes will be on the starting pitchers: Aaron Civale for the Brewers and JP Sears for the Athletics. Civale, with a 4-8 record and a 4.78 ERA, will be looking to regain his form, while Sears, boasting a more respectable 10-8 record and a 4.15 ERA, has been a reliable arm for the Athletics this season.

Player Prop Odds

Here are the player prop odds for Andruw Monasterio:

• Over 0.5 Doubles: +425
• Under 0.5 Doubles: -750
• Over 0.5 RBIs: +280
• Under 0.5 RBIs: -425
• Over 0.5 Runs Scored: +195
• Under 0.5 Runs Scored: -270
• Over 0.5 Singles: +135
• Under 0.5 Singles: -185

Player Analysis

Andruw Monasterio has been a rising star for the Milwaukee Brewers this season. Known for his versatility, he has played multiple positions, showcasing his adaptability on the field. This season, he has a batting average of .211 with 1 home run and 12 RBIs over 95 at-bats, which puts him in a position to contribute offensively.

Monasterio's ability to get on base is crucial, as evidenced by his 5 walks and a .286 on-base percentage. His power numbers may not be overwhelming, but he has shown flashes of potential, particularly against right-handed pitchers. He possesses decent speed, which adds a threat on the base paths.

In his last 10 games, Monasterio has struggled to find consistency at the plate, but he has the potential to break out against a pitcher like JP Sears, who is known to give up hits in crucial situations. If he can find a rhythm early in this game, he could be in line for a productive outing.

Opposing Analysis

The Oakland Athletics will be sending JP Sears to the mound, who has had a solid season with a 4.15 ERA and 110 strikeouts. He has shown the ability to limit damage, but he has also been prone to giving up runs, especially when facing left-handed hitters. Monasterio, being a lefty, could find opportunities to capitalize if he can make contact early in the count.

The Athletics' lineup features a mix of power and speed, with players like Brent Rooker leading the charge. However, if Sears struggles, the Brewers could capitalize on the scoring opportunities. Monasterio's ability to get on base could be a key factor in determining how many runs the Brewers can put together against Sears.

Prop Analysis

Looking at the props for Monasterio, the odds indicate that the sportsbooks are predicting a low offensive output from him. The high negative odds for both doubles and RBIs suggest that they expect him to have difficulty reaching those benchmarks. However, the positive odds for him to hit a single indicate that there is some belief that he can at least make contact and get on base.

Considering Monasterio's stats and the pitching matchup, if he can find a way to get on base, he has the opportunity to score runs or drive in RBIs depending on the lineup behind him. The over for runs scored (+195) and singles (+135) presents a more favorable outlook for Monasterio, especially if he can get on base early in the game.

Starting Pitching Summary - Brewers

Aaron Civale will be taking the mound for the Brewers. With a 4-8 record and a 4.78 ERA, Civale has had an up-and-down season, struggling with consistency. He has recorded 117 strikeouts but has also given up 15 home runs this season. Civale will need to minimize damage and keep the Athletics' powerful hitters at bay to give his team a chance at victory.

Starting Pitching Summary - Athletics

JP Sears will start for the Athletics. His 10-8 record and 4.15 ERA indicate that he has been a reliable option for the Athletics this season. With 110 strikeouts, Sears has shown an ability to get hitters out. However, he needs to avoid giving up walks and limit hard contact to keep the Brewers from scoring.

Bullpen Summary - Brewers

The Brewers' bullpen has been solid this season, with a collective ERA of 4.21. However, with key players on the IL, they will need their remaining arms to step up in crucial situations. The depth of the bullpen could play a significant role in determining the game's outcome if this matchup remains close.

Bullpen Summary - Athletics

The Athletics' bullpen has a better ERA at 3.69, ranking third in the league. With players like Trevor Gott and Ken Waldichuk on the IL, the remaining relievers have been effective at closing out games. Their ability to hold leads will be crucial, especially if the starters run into trouble.

Team Previews

The Milwaukee Brewers have had a mixed season, sitting at 73-54 and leading the NL Central. Their batting average of .231 ranks 26th in the league, but their on-base percentage of .331 is impressive and ranks third overall. They are looking to build on their strengths while overcoming injuries to key players.

The Oakland Athletics, on the other hand, are struggling at 55-73, sitting fourth in the AL West. Their batting average of .253 is 9th in the league, but their pitching has been a concern, ranking 22nd overall with a 4.21 ERA. They will need to find ways to score runs and improve their pitching to stay competitive.

Team Injuries

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