“Can the Athletics Defy the Odds and Launch Their 2025 AL West Campaign with a Stunning Win Over Rivals in Seattle?”

I’ve already laid out my case for why their bullpen is underrated. Athletics All-Star closer Mason Miller has filthy stuff, and the rest of their bullpen is solid. The A’s have a couple of mashers in their lineup: RF Lawrence Butler and DH Brent Rooker. Plus, after digging deeper into Castillo’s two games against the Athletics last year, I can say he got a little lucky. 

Castillo had a 2.77 ERA vs. the A’s last year, but a 5.40 Fielding Independent Pitching, which is more predictive than ERA because it removes factors outside the pitcher’s control. He had 26 flyball outs compared to 10 groundball outs in those outings, despite being more of a groundball pitcher. So, if just one of those flyballs turns into a home run, Castillo’s numbers look worse. 

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