The Oakland Athletics have been superb with their pitching in 2020 but have seen Frankie Montas become a weak link. Montas will try to recapture his prime form on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Chavez Ravine.
Since having a start pushed back nearly a month ago due to a back injury, Montas has given up four or more runs in four of his past five starts after giving up a combined four runs in his first four starts.
Dodgers starter Dustin May has been terrific at limiting base runners, but is allowing over 1.5 home runs per nine innings despite a 2.68 ERA and 1.09 WHIP.
The Athletics entered the week tied for 25th in MLB in batting average but make those hits count, averaging a run every 1.5 hits, which is third in the MLB.
With the Dodgers leading the majors in home runs and Montas giving up 3.15 home runs per nine innings in his past five starts, Tuesday’s battle for the state of California figures to have a lot of deep flies and runs plated.
The Play: Athletics-Dodgers total, Over 9 runs.