Mitch

Spence

Spence was effective for the first three innings, but he allowed two on a ground-rule double to Justin Turner in the fourth, and a four spot in the fifth that included a two-run homer from Cal Raleigh. Spence finishes 2024 with an 8-10 record, 4.58 ERA and 126/44 K/BB over 34 starts and 151 2/3 innings. He should be a member of Oakland’s rotation next year, but is much more streamer than someone who is worth using a draft pick and fulltime roster spot on.

Spence struck out two and walked two in one of his weaker efforts since joining the rotation. He’s due to pitch again Sunday, but the A’s have yet to confirm their weekend starters. The Rule 5 pick from the Yankees has acquitted himself nicely as a 26-year-old rookie, going 8-9 with a 4.35 ERA.

His first victory since July 27, though he’s deserved at least a couple since. Spence struck out six and improved to 8-9 with a 4.30 ERA. He’s due one more start against the Rangers next week.

Spence remained 0-3 in his last eight starts, even though he’s posted a solid 4.01 ERA during that stretch. In 18 starts since the beginning of June, he’s picked up just three wins, all of them coming against the Angels. Unfortunately, there are no more games versus those Angels on Oakland’s schedule. Spence will likely face the Cubs in his next outing.

Spence gave up eight hits, but he also allowed just that single run — a Riley Greene single in the fifth — while striking out six. The 26-year-old has been up-and-down in his first season with the Athletics, and a 4.42 ERA is evidence of that. He’ll make one of his final starts of the year against the Astros on Thursday.

Spence left with the A’s down one, but Oakland went on tie the game in the eighth before losing in the 11th. The no-decision in another solid effort kept Spence 7-9 with a 4.50 ERA. On this day a month ago, he was 7-6 with a 4.47 ERA. He’ll get the Tigers next, making him an option in deeper leagues.

Spence walked three and struck out three on the day while posting just a 16 percent whiff rate and 25 percent CSW. It wasn’t quite the follow-up to his 10-strikeout game against the Rays last week, but it was a solid performance from Spence in a tough pitcher’s park. The right-hander will carry a 4.54 ERA into a tough start against the Rangers this weekend but is set up for a strong matchup against the Tigers next week.

Spence was impressive despite giving up four runs and taking the loss. He held the Rays scoreless through four innings until Tampa Bay brought two runs in to score on a pair of doubles in the fifth. Then Jose Siri took him deep for a two-run homer in the seventh. Spence induced 15 whiffs to strike out 10 batters, his first double-digit strikeout effort of his career. The 26-year-old right-hander will take a 4.67 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, and a 97/35 K/BB ratio across 115 2/3 innings into a start against the Reds in Cincinnati on Tuesday.

Spence allowed four hits and walked three against just one strikeout. The right-hander was bailed out by the Oakland offense, with JJ Bleday hitting a grand slam essentially taking him off the hook for the loss. Spence has had some decent moments in 2024, but he’s tough to trust as a streamer. He gets the Rays on Wednesday.

Spence cruised through five innings in this one. He entered the sixth with just 70 pitches and one earned run off a George Springer lead-off blast. Yet, he gave up consistent hard contact and the Blue Jays were finally able to break through for the go-ahead run they needed. Spence is a bit of a throwback with a low-90s sinker to go along with a cutter and slider. That’s an approach that won’t generate many strikeouts, but can keep runs off the board in the right match up.