Athletics vs Cubs Prediction MLB Picks Today 4/18

© Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Cubs vs Athletics: MLB Game Preview, Picks, and Predictions for April 18, 2023

The Chicago Cubs will be taking on the struggling Oakland Athletics in a game that features two teams on opposite sides of the win-loss column. The Cubs are sitting pretty with an 8-6 record, while the Athletics are struggling at 3-13. MLB picks experts and predictions derived from MLB picks computer models are in favor of a Cubs victory in this one. MLB picks and parlay strategies suggest betting on the Cubs to win outright or with the spread in this game. MLB expert picks today also suggest keeping an eye on the over/under line of 7.5 as it could be affected by the Cubs' offense and the Athletics' struggling pitching staff. Overall, this game is expected to be a solid victory for the Cubs, but as is always the case in baseball, anything can happen. Stay tuned for the full length prediction article on this fascinating matchup.

Cubs: Pitching Analysis

The Chicago Cubs have been touted as one of the teams to watch in the MLB as the season progresses. The team's success largely depends on its pitching staff. MLB Picks experts, computer MLB Picks, and other predictive models all point towards the fact that the Cubs have a solid pitching staff that can help them compete against top teams in the league. Marcus Stroman and Jameson Taillon are the top starters for the Cubs, and both have shown signs of great potential. In addition, the Cubs bullpen has a lot of depth, with players like Brad Boxberger and Justin Steele providing plenty of options for manager David Ross. MLB Picks and Parlay predictions for the Cubs pitching staff have been generally positive, with many experts picking the team to finish near the top of the National League Central standings. The team's pitching has also been strong against opponents, with an ERA of 3.58, ranking seventh in the league. Overall, the Cubs pitching staff has the potential to be one of the best in the league. If they can continue to perform at a high level, the Cubs should be able to compete for a playoff spot in the National League this season.

Cubs: Hitting Analysis

The Chicago Cubs are heading into the 2023 season with high hopes and expectations. MLB picks experts and computer models have predicted that the Cubs will have a successful season, and they have a strong hitting lineup to back it up. MLB picks emp predictions and MLB today experts have analyzed the Cubs' hitting lineup and believe that it is one of the strongest in the league. With a combination of power hitters and players who are skilled at getting on base, the Cubs have a well-rounded lineup that is capable of scoring runs in a variety of ways. MLB picks and parlay experts believe that the Cubs will be a top team in terms of hitting statistics, as they have several players who are expected to have strong seasons. Patrick Wisdom is one of the leaders in home runs and RBIs, while Dansby Swanson is expected to have a high batting average. Cody Bellinger and Brent Rooker are also players to watch, as they have shown consistency in both hitting and scoring runs. MLB experts' picks today also suggest that the Cubs have a strong advantage when it comes to hitting with the spread, as they have a lineup that can produce consistently. With the odds in their favor, the Cubs are expected to have a successful season at the plate. 

Athletics Pitching Analysis: 

The pitching matchup for tonight's game between the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics is Marcus Stroman (2-1, 1.00 ERA) against Ken Waldichuk (0-2, 10.20 ERA). MLB experts and computers have made their predictions for tonight's game. According to MLBPicksExperts.com, most experts are picking the Cubs to win tonight's game. They cite Stroman's dominance on the mound and the Cubs' batting lineup as reasons for their pick. However, they note that the Athletics have been known to surprise teams and could make it a close game. MLBPicksComputer.com has a different prediction, with their algorithm favoring the Athletics to win at home. They note that Waldichuk has struggled in his first two starts, but could bounce back against a Cubs' lineup that has been inconsistent at times. MLBTodayExperts.com has mixed opinions, with some experts picking the Cubs and others picking the Athletics. The consensus seems to be that Stroman will pitch well, but the outcome of the game will ultimately depend on the performance of both teams' lineups. MLBPicksAndParlay.com is predicting a close game, with the Cubs winning by a narrow margin.

Athletics: Hitting Analysis

When it comes to predicting MLB picks, experts use a combination of computer models and expert predictions to make their selections. Today, experts are making their MLB picks and parlaying them for maximum payout. MLB expert picks today are being chosen with careful consideration, using the best MLB bets today and the latest MLB picks with spread. However, for the upcoming game between the Chicago Cubs and the Oakland Athletics on April 18, 2023, the Athletics will have their work cut out for them. Currently holding a record of 3-13 at home, the Athletics have struggled to find their footing this season. Their offense has been lackluster, with a run differential of -63.0, placing them dead last in the league. In contrast, the Cubs have a record of 8-6 on the road and are ranked number two in the National League Central Standings. They have a run differential of +16.0 and a batting average of .274, placing them in the top five in the league. When looking at individual batting and pitching statistics, the Cubs also have the upper hand. Patrick Wisdom leads their team with 6 home runs and a .255 batting average, while Marcus Stroman has an impressive ERA of 1.00 and 80 strikeouts. On the other hand, the Athletics' top offensive player, Brent Rooker, has only 4

Injury Report

As with any sport, injuries can play a big role in the outcome of a game. Here's a look at the injury report for the Cubs vs. Athletics matchup: Chicago Cubs: No injured players. Oakland Athletics: Freddy Tarnok (RP) on 60-day IL, Manny Pina (C) on 10-day IL, Drew Rucinski (RP) on 15-day IL, and Paul Blackburn (SP) on 15-day IL as of April 17. While the Cubs have a clean bill of health, the Athletics are missing some key players. This could give the Cubs an advantage and impact the outcome of the game. As always, it's important to keep an eye on the injury report leading up to the game as it could change.

Prediction