So, people sometimes ask me how I go about figuring out who might win a game, like when the Athletics are playing the Phillies. It’s not like I’ve got some crystal ball or anything, believe me. It’s more of a routine I’ve sort of stumbled into over the years. It started out pretty simple, and honestly, it still is. I’m not one for those super complicated spreadsheets or algorithms. My brain just doesn’t work that way.
My Little Pregame Ritual
First thing I do, usually the morning of, or maybe the night before if I’m not too beat, is just pull up the matchups. Okay, Athletics at Phillies, or vice versa. Got it. Then, the big one for me is always the starting pitchers. I’ll take a peek at who’s on the mound for both sides.
- How have they been doing lately? Are they coming off a gem, or did they get lit up like a Christmas tree in their last start?
- What’s their record like, generally? And more importantly, how do they fare against the types of hitters they’re about to face? Some guys just own certain teams, or struggle against lineups stacked with lefties, for example.
- I also glance at their ERA and WHIP, but I don’t get too bogged down. Numbers are great, but sometimes a guy’s just feeling it, or he’s not.
After the pitchers, I’ll check out how the teams themselves are playing. Are the Athletics on a surprising little win streak? Or are the Phillies looking like world beaters, just crushing everyone in their path? Momentum is a funny thing in baseball. Sometimes it’s real, sometimes it’s just a blip. I try to get a feel for the general vibe around the teams.
Digging a Bit Deeper (But Not Too Deep)
Then I usually do a quick scan for injuries. This is key. If the Phillies are missing their star slugger, or the A’s have their best reliever on the IL, that can totally change the game. It’s amazing how one missing piece can throw a whole team off kilter. I’m not spending hours on this, just a quick check of the latest reports.
I also consider where the game is being played. Some ballparks are launching pads, others really favor the pitchers. And some teams are just road warriors, while others can’t buy a win away from their home crowd. It’s not the biggest factor for me, but it’s in the mix.
And you know what? Sometimes I’ll just have a gut feeling. I’ve watched enough baseball over the years, and sometimes, after looking at everything, one team just feels like they’re going to take it. Maybe it’s an underdog thing, or maybe I just saw something in a previous game that stuck with me. It’s not scientific at all, totally anecdotal, but hey, it’s part of my process.
So, What’s the Point of All This?
I don’t really do this for betting or anything like that. For me, it started as a way to make the games a bit more engaging. I’d make my little prediction, then watch the game and see how right or wrong I was. It’s kind of a personal challenge. My wife thinks I’m a bit nuts, spending time on it, but she also knows I just enjoy the puzzle of it.
It’s funny, I remember years ago, I used to try and get all technical. I’d look up obscure stats, read every single analyst’s take. It just became overwhelming. I found I was overthinking it, and honestly, my predictions weren’t any better. So, I went back to this simpler approach. It’s more about observation and a general feel for the game.
When it comes to a game like the Athletics versus the Phillies, after I’ve gone through my usual steps, I’ll have my pick. Sometimes I’m spot on, other times I’m completely off base. That’s baseball for you, right? Unpredictable. But going through the motions, doing my little “research,” that’s the fun part for me. It connects me to the game a bit more than just passively watching. And when you call one right, especially an upset, well, that just feels pretty good.
