Date: Friday, April 18, 2025
Location: American Family Field, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
First Pitch: 8:10 PM ET
Broadcast: Bally Sports Wisconsin, NBC Sports California
Game Overview
The Milwaukee Brewers (10-9) host the Oakland Athletics (9-10) in the first game of a three-game series at American Family Field. The Brewers enter the matchup riding a three-game winning streak, fresh off a sweep of the Chicago White Sox. Meanwhile, the Athletics have been inconsistent, going 5-1 against the White Sox and Rockies but struggling against tougher competition, posting a 4-9 record against the Mariners, Cubs, Padres, and Mets.
Milwaukee has been strong at home, boasting a 7-3 record, while Oakland has been solid on the road, going 7-3 away from home.
Projected Starting Pitchers
| Team | Pitcher | Record | ERA | WHIP | Strikeouts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Brewers | Freddy Peralta (RHP) | 1-1 | 2.31 | 0.90 | 28 |
| Oakland Athletics | J.T. Ginn (RHP) | 1-0 | 3.00 | 1.20 | 15 |
Freddy Peralta (Brewers)
Peralta has been dominant, posting a 2.31 ERA with 28 strikeouts in 23.1 innings. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in all four of his starts and has held opponents to a .159 batting average.
J.T. Ginn (Athletics)
Ginn has been solid, carrying a 3.00 ERA through 15 innings. He struck out six batters and allowed just one run over 5.1 innings in his last start.
Key Players to Watch
Milwaukee Brewers
- Jackson Chourio (OF): Batting .262 with five home runs and 17 RBIs, leading Milwaukee’s offense.
- Brice Turang (INF): Hitting .312, providing consistency at the plate.
- William Contreras (C): Has three home runs and a .342 OBP, adding power to the lineup.
Oakland Athletics
- Tyler Soderstrom (1B): Leads MLB with nine home runs, batting .315 with 18 RBIs.
- Jacob Wilson (SS): Has a team-high 24 hits, slashing .338/.338/.507.
- Lawrence Butler (OF): Batting .296 with four stolen bases, adding speed to Oakland’s attack.
Game Strategy & Key Factors
Milwaukee Brewers
- Peralta must control the strike zone: His 0.90 WHIP suggests strong command, but he must avoid mistakes against Oakland’s power hitters.
- Capitalize on Oakland’s bullpen struggles: The Athletics rank 28th in bullpen ERA (5.35), making late-game offense crucial.
- Aggressive baserunning: Milwaukee ranks 13th in MLB in slugging percentage (.383), so extra-base hits will be key.
Oakland Athletics
- Ginn’s command: He must avoid early trouble against Milwaukee’s disciplined hitters.
- Take advantage of Milwaukee’s rotation injuries: The Brewers have multiple starters on the IL, making this a prime opportunity.
- Break out of offensive slump: Oakland has lost five games by two runs or fewer, showing they need clutch hitting.
Athletics 8
Milwaukee Brewers – 160
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Thursday, April 17, 2025
