Athletics vs Cubs Preview: Week 62 Showdown

The Athletics come to Chicago sitting 29-31 after winning their last game. They're hungry for more wins on the road. Their catcher Shea Langeliers is absolutely crushing it—he's batting .350 with four home runs. That's the kind of power you want going into a tough park like Wrigley Field. Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom give Oakland more punch from the left side. The problem? Other hitters like Jeff McNeil and Brent Rooker are struggling badly. Gage Jump takes the mound for Oakland and needs to keep the Cubs' bats quiet early. If the Athletics can get Langeliers some runners to drive in, they've got a real shot here.

The Cubs are 32-29 and just lost their last two games—they need this one badly. Their lineup has some serious weapons. Pete Crow-Armstrong zooms around center field and just hit 31 home runs last year. Michael Busch slugged 34 home runs in his breakout season. Nico Hoerner plays incredible defense up the middle. Alex Bregman brings championship experience and that matters when games get tight. Jameson Taillon pitches for Chicago and he needs to be sharp against Oakland's power hitters. The Cubs' defense is outstanding. If Taillon avoids early mistakes, Chicago's defense can shut down rallies before they start.

Picture this: Wednesday night at Wrigley Field under the lights. Two teams fighting hard. The Athletics want to build momentum on the road while the Cubs want to stop their losing streak at home. Oakland's rotation is banged up with injuries, but Gage Jump gets his shot. Chicago's Jameson Taillon takes the mound and wants to prove he can keep hitters off balance. Both teams are hungry. The Cubs have that home-field advantage at iconic Wrigley. But Oakland's Shea Langeliers is swinging hot bats. This game comes down to who can string together hits and who can pitch smart. You'll want to watch this one closely.