Inside The Cubs

Chicago Cubs and Athletics Series Preview: Pitching, Matchups and More

The Chicago Cubs will face a struggling Oakland Athletics squad after taking a series win from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Here is everything you need to know.
Kade Kistner|
Chicago Cubs and Athletics Series Preview: Pitching, Matchups and More
Chicago Cubs and Athletics Series Preview: Pitching, Matchups and More

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Chicago CubsOakland Athletics

The Chicago Cubs are riding high after taking a series from the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles. Now, they will continue their West Coast road trip and face the struggling Oakland Athletics who have won just three games this season at Oakland Coliseum.

On paper, the Cubs have a favorable pitching matchup and an offense that should be overpowering. Let's take a look.

Monday, April 17 at 8:40 p.m. CT

Hayden Wesneski (0-0, 7.50 ERA) vs. Kyle Muller (0-0, 5.52 ERA)

Wesneski has not opened the season well, but he is talented enough to kickstart his season against the Athletics. Muller has also not thrown the ball well this season but he represents Oakland's best chance on the mound this series. 

If Wesneski looks anyhting like what he did in Spring Training on Monday, Chicago has to feel pretty good about its chances. 

Tuesday, April 18 at 8:40 p.m. CT

Marcus Stroman (2-1, 1.00 ERA) vs. Ken Waldichuk (0-2, 10.20)

Talk about a tale of two pitchers. Stroman has allowed just two earned runs in his first three starts across 18.0 innings. While the term "ace" is thrown around too loosely in this day in age, Stroman has lived up to the definition this year.

Waldichuk, on the other hand, has just been a warm body on the mound for the Athletics. 

Expect the Cubs offense to tee off and have a field day with him. This has a Patrick Wisdom career-type game written all over it. 

Wednesday, April 19 at 2:37 p.m. CT

Justin Steele (2-0, 1.42 ERA) vs. James Kaprielian (0-2, 12.15 ERA)

Steele is a solid middle of the rotation type pitcher but has thrown the ball well in his first few starts. He should add another solid performance to his resume after Wednesday. 

As for Oakland, it could go from bad to worse as Kaprielian takes the mound on get away day. The Athletics have no intention of competing this year or really trying to do anything other than save money and stash away profits. That can be the only explanation for running Kaprielian out start after start. 

Series Prediction:

The Cubs, especially after their showing against the Dodgers, should be able to sweep the A's and begin to make some noise in the National League Central division. 

More From SI's Inside The Cubs

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  2. Did David Robertson Net the Cubs a Future Star in Ben Brown?
  3. Hoerner is the Cubs Shortstop of the Future
  4. Cubs Could Give Canario a Shot in September
  5. Could the Cubs Land Trea Turner in the Offseason?
  6. Chicago Cubs Have a New Top Prospect in Their Rankings
  7. Is This Top Cubs Prospect Destined for the Mound at Wrigley?
  8. Steele Offers Glimpse Into Future of Cubs Rotation
  9. Do the Chicago Cubs Have the National League's Best Bullpen?
  10. Can Christopher Morel be a Long-Term Solution in Center Field

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You can find Kade Kistner on Twitter @KadeKistner.

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Cubs. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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