Romanelli took Oakland outright, simply fading a Cleveland lineup that ranks near the bottom of the majors in virtually every key metric versus southpaws over the past month. Jeffrey Springs nearly no-hit them in the series opener, and JP Sears gets a similar soft landing even after a rough 2025 season to date. Ron believes Sears will be "good enough" and that rookie Slate Sikoni is vulnerable to an A’s offense that’s been pesky at home.

Malcolm Bamford backed Brent Rooker to go yard against Tanner Bibee, noting the Guardians rookie has already surrendered 11 homers in just eight road starts and a 4.84 ERA away from Cleveland. Rooker, meanwhile, remains Oakland’s premier power threat with 19 bombs and a .570 slugging percentage versus right-handed pitching. Bamford said the A’s temporary Sacramento venue has played small all month and Friday’s forecast calls for a stiff breeze blowing out to left, further boosting Rooker’s chances. Given Bibee’s 1.6 HR/9 and Rooker’s penchant for punishing belt-high fastballs, Bamford expects sportsbooks to hang a generous +350 or better that he believes should be closer to +275.

Scott Reichel said he is firing on Lane Thomas to hit a home run in Friday’s Guardians-A’s game at Sacramento. His logic is a pure fade of Jeffrey Springs: the left-hander has coughed up at least one long ball in each of his last three starts and owns a 5.51 ERA at the A’s temporary home park. Reichel acknowledged Thomas has struggled overall (only one homer from the right side this season) but emphasized the outfielder’s career .892 OPS versus southpaws and power resume from previous years. With double-digit winds forecast to blow out and both starters already highlighted as homer-prone, Reichel thinks the matchup and weather create the perfect buy-low spot on Thomas at what should be 5-1 or longer odds in the HR market.

Kenny G recommended laying the modest –132 with Cleveland, pointing out that Oakland is a brutal 13-25 at home and backs starter Jeffery Spriggs with MLB’s worst bullpen (6.00+ ERA). Tanner Bibee has pieced together consecutive quality outings against Seattle and Houston and enters with a 3.79 season ERA, while the Guardians relief corps is solid at 3.66. Offensively, neither team is scalding, but Oakland’s recent slump neutralizes whatever edge its season-long stats suggest, and the Guardians’ lineup does at least feature Jose Ramirez. Kenny refuses to touch a double-digit total—leaning slightly under 10 given both offenses’ current form—but believes Oakland’s pen and home futility make Cleveland the only viable side play.