The Chicago Cubs are set to face the Oakland Athletics in Sacramento, CA, in what promises to be an intriguing matchup. With the Cubs at 2-4 and the Athletics at 2-2, both teams are eager for a victory. The Cubs will send Ben Brown (0-1) to the mound, looking to bounce back after a tough outing against the Dodgers. He'll be opposed by the Athletics' Joey Estes, who has yet to record a decision this season.

Betting odds favor the Cubs slightly at -128 on the moneyline, with a spread of -1.5. The total runs set at 8.0 suggests a potential high-scoring game, given both teams' offensive capabilities. The A's are 3-1 against the spread this season, while the Cubs are 2-4. Expert picks lean toward betting on the Cubs for both the moneyline and the spread, with a recommended over on the total runs.

Joey Estes, the 23-year-old pitcher for the Oakland Athletics, has had a challenging start to Spring Training, posting a 6.75 ERA over four innings pitched. Despite a strong strike rate, he has allowed three home runs, highlighting a concerning trend from his previous season where he finished with an 8.71 ERA in September. His strikeout rate of 16.9% ranks him in the bottom tier of the league, while a 5% walk rate indicates his ability to find the strike zone consistently.

Competing for a spot in the A's rotation, Estes faces stiff competition from fellow pitchers like Mitch Spence, Hogan Harris, and Brady Basso, all of whom have impressed in their outings. The A's may consider sending Estes to Triple-A Las Vegas to refine his skills, although his high fly-ball rate could pose challenges in that league. With only a couple of weeks left to solidify his place, Estes must demonstrate significant improvement to secure a spot in the starting rotation for the upcoming season.

Brady Basso, drafted by the Oakland Athletics in 2019, made his MLB debut in 2024, showcasing his skills with a solid performance. After fluctuating between the majors and Triple-A, he recorded a 4.03 ERA over the season, demonstrating a strong four-seam fastball and an effective curveball.

As the Athletics prepare for the 2025 season, Basso faces competition for a rotation spot, but his impressive stats and potential could earn him a place in the starting lineup.

The conclusion of the MLB regular season has prompted an expanded ranking of the top 50 rookies for 2024, showcasing the depth of talent in this year's class.

Highlighting the fierce competition, the NL Rookie of the Year race features Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Jackson Merrill of the San Diego Padres, while the AL race remains wide open.

Players are evaluated based on their performance, role, and development throughout the season, with late-season success carrying significant weight.