What is there to say about the Athletics? At 53-81, they aren’t even the worst team in their division! That honor goes to the Los Angeles Angels. But before anyone gets too smug, the Orioles have lost series to both teams this season. Whether in fourth or fifth place in the AL West, the Athletics are still a bad baseball team. The Orioles, even as a mediocre team, should beat them.

The Athletics allow an average of 5.75 runs per game, which is the 29th-worst in baseball. Only the Rockies are worse. Their starting pitchers have an fWAR of 3.7, the 28th-worst in baseball. In contrast, the Orioles are at 9.0 (15th). Their batters aren’t much better with an fWAR of 4.7. The Orioles are at 14.1.

If you’re looking for an Athletic that you recognize, chances are he’s on the Injured List. Shea Langeliers, Nick Kurtz, Tyler Soderstrom, Brent Rooker, and Luis Severino are all on the IL. If you’re a sicko Orioles fan, you may remember these farm hands: Drew Rom, Darell Hernaiz, and Jonah Heim. They’re all on the A’s. None of them are good.

The A’s have not announced any starting pitchers for this season. But the Orioles don’t need to worry about facing their best starting pitcher, JT Ginn. Ginn pitched on Aug 26th. They may have to face rookie lefty Gage Jump (his real name). Jump has a good fastball (>96 mph) and a pretty good strikeout rate (25.2%), but walks a ton of guys.

Another lefty, Jeffrey Springs, might also start in this series. You may remember Springs from his time with the Rays. He has somehow already given up 30 home runs this year and has an ERA of 6.08. Yet another lefty, Jacob Lopez, is in their rotation. He faced the Orioles back in May and allowed two runs in 5.1 innings. He walks more batters than Jump. They do have a righty the Orioles could face tonight, Jack Perkins. As a starter, he has an ERA over seven.

Brandon Young (22 GS, 123.1 IP, 3.50 ERA / 4.31 FIP) vs TBD

Brandon Young remains the biggest surprise of this year’s rotation, but he is looking a little tired lately. He’s at a career high in innings pitched after throwing just 91 last year between the majors and minors.

My wild guess for the A’s starter: RHP Jack Perkins (41 G / 11 GS, 90.1 IP, 6.68 ERA / 4.79 FIP)

Game 2: Saturday, 10:05 pm

Shane Baz (26 GS, 151.1 IP, 4.04 ERA / 3.34 FIP) vs TBD

What does Shane Baz gotta do to win a game around here? He leads the league with 14 losses despite allowing three or fewer runs in 19 of his 26 starts. The Orioles just don’t score runs for this guy. What do you think he did to make them not like him?

My wild guess for the A’s starter: LHP Jeffrey Springs (24 GS, 118.1 IP, 6.08 ERA / 6.14 FIP)

Chris Bassitt (15 G / 13 GS, 74 IP, 4.74 ERA / 4.53 FIP) vs TBD

Bassitt has been better than I expected in his three starts since returning from the IL. In those three starts, he has pitched into the sixth inning twice and into the seventh inning once. He has allowed 6 runs in 17.2 innings (3.04 ERA). Bassitt is the replacement for the departed Dean Kremer. If he can continue looking like the guy they’ve seen recently, he might earn some fans.

My wild guess for the A’s starter: LHP Gage Jump (16 G, 88.1 IP, 4. 69 ERA / 3.64 FIP)

How many games do you think the Orioles will win in this series? Le us know in the comments,.