Chicago @ Athletics picks

The Cubs have put 25 runs on the board through the first two games of their road series against the Athletics, with the home team chipping in for another seven. The barrage has been fuelled by nine home runs and another 11 extra-base hits, and I’m not expecting any let up in West Sacramento this afternoon. Chicago righty Jameson Taillon was hit hard in his season debut after out pitching his underlying metrics in 2024. The veteran finished with a 3.27 ERA last year despite a 416 xFIP, and his velocity was down across the board. Taillon’s 6.8 K/9 and 18.5 K% were also career-low marks, and I’m expecting the Athletics to manufacture offense Wednesday. The Cubs also send a solid lineup to the dish against southpaws and are off to a good start with a high-end .356 wOBA, .300 ISO and 9.1 BB%. Plus, Sutter Health Park looks like a launching pad to me.