Dodgers vs A's Preview: Pitching Firepower Takes Center Stage

The Dodgers rolled into Oakland with momentum, crushing the Athletics 9-4 on Sunday. Los Angeles is on fire right now—they've won two straight games and gone 7-3 over their last ten. Max Muncy launched a rocket shot 422 feet for a homer. Shohei Ohtani then launched one even farther at 432 feet. The Dodgers' lineup is absolutely loaded with power hitters everywhere you look. Oakland is heading the opposite direction, dropping their last two games. The Athletics sit at 40-44 and are struggling at home with an 18-23 record there. This team needs to stop the bleeding fast before the season gets away.

Jeffrey Springs gets the ball for the Athletics on Wednesday. The veteran pitcher has bounced around the majors—he's played for Texas, Boston, and Tampa Bay before landing in Oakland. But Springs is struggling this season with a 0-1 record and an 8.84 ERA. That's a lot of runs being given up per game. The Dodgers' lineup will be licking their chops to face him. Los Angeles has crushed left-handed pitching all year. Springs needs to throw strikes and keep the ball down, or the Dodgers will make him pay dearly. Oakland desperately needs a solid start here to get back on track.

The Dodgers have star pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto as their ace, plus Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow when they return from injuries. Even closer Edwin Díaz is coming back soon. Los Angeles built a pitching staff that's loaded with talent from top to bottom. Oakland's rotation has Jeffrey Springs leading the way with Aaron Civale as backup. Luis Severino was supposed to anchor the staff but he's on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder strain. The Athletics are young and hungry, but the Dodgers' depth advantage is massive. Oakland needs its pitchers to stay healthy and pitch like their lives depend on it.