Manaea posted a 14.09 ERA, 1.83 WHIP and .378 BAA across 7.2 innings over three Cactus League appearances before spring training was suspended.

EDGE Analysis

The unsightly numbers over the small sample belie the fact Manaea actually got some productive work in before play was paused. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports the left-hander diligently worked on developing his slider with the help of the legendary Randy Johnson, and he did manage to record 10 strikeouts despite also pitching to plenty of contact at times. The refining of a pitch always carries the potential of generating some ugly spring lines, so the southpaw's struggles could at least be partly attributed to his attempt to augment his arsenal.

Manaea recorded six strikeouts and allowed four earned runs on four hits over three innings in a Cactus League split-squad loss to the Reds on Friday.

EDGE Analysis

The line underscores what a mixed bag Manaea's start was, but the left-hander, who continued to refine his slider during the outing, was pleased with the work he got in, noting he "made some competitive pitches and they [Indians hitters] took some good swings on them," according to Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. Two of those hacks came from Scott Schebler and Matt Davidson, who tagged Manaea for a double and three-run home run, respectively. Through three spring starts, the 28-year-old now sports an unsightly 14.90 ERA, although he also has 10 strikeouts through 7.2 innings.

Manaea started a Cactus League split-squad win over the Indians on Saturday and allowed two earned runs on four hits across three innings. He struck out two.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was coming off a forgettable Cactus League debut Monday versus the Brewers, one in which he allowed six earned runs across just 1.2 innings. The left-hander had struggled some with the location of his slider, a pitch he's been heavily focused on this offseason and spring. Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports Manaea was much sharper Saturday with the help of a fastball that hit 93 mph on multiple occasions, and due to a grip adjustment suggested to him by pitching coach Scott Emerson during a recent bullpen session, one that turns the slider into a hybrid cutter. Manaea deployed the offering approximately 10 times across his 48 pitches and plans to continue refining it during his remaining exhibition starts. "It's a little bit harder," Manaea said of the new cutter. "I was throwing it at 85 mph and I've never thrown a slider before at 85. It was cool. Really just trying to get where I feel like I have that explosiveness. It was a big step in the right direction."

Manaea, who allowed six earned runs on six hits while recording two strikeouts over 1.2 innings in a Cactus League loss to the Brewers on Monday, was nevertheless encouraged by the ongoing refinement of his slider, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports. ""It was good. I was pretty happy with it," Manaea said of the movement of his slider. "I was able to control it a little bit. Especially the first inning, it was good. I felt like I threw some really good ones right off my fingertips. I was really happy with it, movement-wise. Not so much location-wise."

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw has been diligently working on sharpening up his slider this offseason and in camp thus far, even getting some one-on-one work in with the legendary Randy Johnson during the Big Unit's recent visit to spring training. Gallegos reports that most of Manaea's problems Monday stemmed from fastballs that were intended to serve as inside pitches and were instead essentially grooved down the middle of the plate. A pair of those resulted in two-run home runs from Orlando Arcia and Lucas Erceg, and the fact Manaea also threw 39 pitches overall may have led to some fatigue. The 28-year-old will look to bounce back in his next Cactus League start, which will likely come toward the end of the week or on the weekend.

Manaea agreed to a one-year, $3.75 million deal with the A's on Friday, avoiding arbitration, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was the big lefty's second of four years as an arbitration-eligible player. He had a successful return from injury late in 2019 (1.21 ERA, 0.78 WHIP) and will look to build back up his innings in 2020.

Manaea will start in the American League Wild Card Game against the Rays on Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

The southpaw quickly returned to form after returning from left shoulder surgery that left him sidelined since September 2018, and will now get the chance to help Oakland advance in its sudden-death contest against the Rays. In five starts in 2019, Manaea carries a 4-0 record with an ERA of 1.21 with a 0.78 WHIP. Wednesday's matchup against the Rays should be favorable given the large number of lefties in Tampa's lineup.

Manaea may be the likeliest candidate to start the American League Wild Card Game against the Rays on Wednesday due to both his performance since coming off the injured list and Tampa's left-handed-heavy lineup, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Mike Fiers is considered the other realistic alternative for the one-game playoff, and he posted a 1-0 record, 2.25 ERA and .171 BAA across 12.0 innings over two starts versus the Rays this season. However, Manaea has been positively dominant over his five starts since making his delayed season debut, generating a 4-0 record, 1.21 ERA and 30:7 K:BB across 29.2 innings. The Rays have also been about average hitting against southpaws, posting a .256/.326/.422 collective line with a .319 wOBA versus that handedness on the season while striking out at a 25.6 percent clip. Manager Bob Melvin is expected to announce his decision within the next couple of days, and if Manaea does get the call, he'll be working on a solid five days' rest.

Manaea (4-0) earned the win against Seattle on Thursday, pitching six innings and giving up one run on four hits and no walks while striking out five.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea was in complete control throughout the quality start, tossing 54 of 82 pitches for strikes while yielding only one run in six innings. The southpaw has won each of his last four outings and now carries a pristine 1.21 ERA and 0.78 WHIP in five starts this season. Despite missing most of 2019 with an injured shoulder, Manaea has pitched well enough since his return to merit serious consideration for a start in the American League Wild Card Game on Tuesday, should Oakland qualify.

Manaea (3-0) allowed two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out four over 5.2 innings. He earned the win in a blowout against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea had plenty of run support from the get-go, as the Athletics plated nine runs in the first two innings. Only solo shots by Elvis Andrus and Danny Santana tarnished Manaea's performance. The southpaw has been excellent in 23.2 innings since returning from a shoulder injury, posting a 1.14 ERA and 0.80 WHIP while whiffing 25 batters. Expect Manaea to start against the Mariners on Friday in his regular-season finale.

Manaea (2-0) gave up three hits and one walk while striking out six through six scoreless innings to take the win over the Rangers on Sunday.

EDGE Analysis

Manaea had 11 swinging strikes and 19 called strikes in another electric performance to earn his second win. The 27-year-old has been great since being activated with a 0.50 ERA and a 21:6 K:BB through three starts this season. Manaea is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the Rangers at RingCentral Coliseum.