Oakland Athletics vs San Francisco Giants Picks and Predictions August 18th 2024

From Oakland Coliseum in Oakland, we have the Giants and Athletics facing off in an interleague matchup. This one gets started at 4:07 PM ET, and NSPCA is carrying it on TV. The money line odds have the Giants at -172 compared to the Athletics at +145. The over/under line is currently at 7.5 runs.

Blake Snell is starting for the Giants, and he is facing off against JP Sears for the Athletics. San Francisco is 62-63 this season, while the Athletics are 53-70. Sears will look to help the Athletics extend their two-game win streak.

Blake Snell gets the start for the Giants today as he faces the Athletics on the road. So far this season, he has made 13 starts and has a record of 2-3 with a 3.91 ERA. Snell’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.07, and opponents are batting .172 off the left-hander this year. In his last outing, Snell finished with a no-decision, going 6 1/3 innings and not giving up a run to the Braves. Before that, he had picked up the win in two straight outings. One of those wins was a complete-game shutout. Snell’s ERA on the road is 6.81 compared to 3.9 at home.

San Francisco’s offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game this season, which is 16th in the league. They have been pretty consistent at home and on the road, averaging 4.3 and 4.4 runs per game, respectively. The Giants are also a middle-of-the-pack team in terms of home runs and have the league’s 12th best batting average at .242.

Both Matt Chapman and Heliot Ramos have been big home run threats for the Giants this season, with Chapman leading the team with 19 homers and Ramos right behind him at 17. Chapman also has the team’s top RBI total at 61. Over his last seven games, Tyler Fitzgerald has gone 9/29 with two homers and three RBIs.

JP Sears gets the start for the Athletics today and is coming off a strong outing vs. the Blue Jays. In that start, he went seven innings, giving up three earned runs and picking up the win. Sears has actually won his last three starts, and his record for the season is 10-8 with a 4.32 ERA. Looking at his home/away splits, Sears is 6-4 at home with an 8.4 ERA. On the road, he is 4-4 with a 4.25 ERA. Sears’ WHIP for the season is 1.19, and he has made nine quality starts this year.

So far this season, the Athletics offense is averaging 4.1 runs per game, which is 25th in the league. They have been a better offense at home, averaging 4.4 runs per game. As a team, they are batting just .232, which is 19th in the league, and are also near the bottom of the league in strikeouts. However, they do have the 6th most home runs in the league and have the 8th best isolated power mark in the league.

Brent Rooker has been a bright spot for the Athletics this season, as he is batting .290 with a team-leading 83 RBIs and 29 home runs. Catcher Shea Langeliers is also near the top of the league in homers, but he is batting just .228 for the season. JJ Bleday has been hot of late, going 8/18 in his last five games with two homers.

Sunday’s showdown between the San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum might just mark the end of an iconic chapter in Bay Area baseball. Since interleague play kicked off in 1997, the Bay Bridge Series has been a fan-favorite rivalry, with these two teams battling it out for local bragging rights. But as the A’s get ready to move from Oakland to a new future in Las Vegas, this game could be the last time these teams face off as neighbors.

A Historic Rivalry: The Bay Bridge Series

The Bay Bridge Series has been a staple of the MLB schedule for over two decades, delivering memorable moments and intense competition between the Giants and A’s. The A’s currently hold the edge in the series, leading 76-71, not counting their 1989 World Series sweep of the Giants—a series that was famously interrupted by a major earthquake. That World Series win was the last of the A’s four championships, solidifying their place in Bay Area sports history.

Sunday’s game is expected to pack the stands, with fans from both sides eager to witness what could be the final chapter of this storied rivalry. For many, it’s more than just a game—it’s a chance to say goodbye to a tradition that’s been woven into the fabric of the region for years.

The Final Showdown: Giants vs. A’s

The teams split the first two games of this short series, with the A’s taking a 2-0 win on Saturday after the teams had split two games in San Francisco in late July. Now, both teams are gearing up for a dramatic finale at the Coliseum, with star players and rising talent taking center stage.

Blake Snell (San Francisco Giants)

The Giants are counting on one of the hottest pitchers in the game right now, left-hander Blake Snell, for this historic finale. Snell has been on fire since early July, boasting a 0.99 ERA over his last seven starts. His recent outings include a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds and a near no-hitter against the Atlanta Braves, where he struck out 11 over 6 1/3 innings. Snell’s career numbers against the A’s show a 2-1 record with a 4.62 ERA in five starts, making him a tough competitor on the mound.

JP Sears (Oakland Athletics)

The A’s are countering with their ace, left-hander JP Sears, who’s been in great form, going 6-1 with a 2.91 ERA over his last seven starts. Sears knows the Giants well, having shut them down in San Francisco last month with seven innings of three-hit, shutout ball while striking out nine. If he can repeat that performance, it will be key for the A’s as they look to close out their Oakland chapter on a high note.

Player Reflections: Cherishing the Bay Bridge Series

For the players, especially those who’ve spent a lot of time with the A’s, the Bay Bridge Series holds a special place in their hearts. Oakland outfielder Seth Brown, who was drafted by the A’s in 2015, shared his thoughts on what it means to be part of this rivalry.

Adding to the personal stories, Saturday’s game featured the MLB debut of A’s pitcher Grant Holman, a former University of California star. Holman, pitching in relief, managed to retire the Giants’ Casey Schmitt with the tying runs on base, carving his name into Bay Area baseball lore.

The Future Beyond the Bay Area

With the A’s set to relocate to Las Vegas after a three-season stint in Sacramento, this game represents the end of an era. The move will bring a big shift to the Bay Area sports scene, leaving the Giants as the region’s sole MLB team. While both franchises are looking forward to new opportunities, the nostalgia and significance of the Bay Bridge Series will linger in the memories of fans and players alike.

Young Talent Shines Amid the Farewell

Even as the A’s prepare to leave, new talent is emerging on both teams. Giants center fielder Grant McCray made a splash in Saturday’s game with a diving catch, an infield single that broke up a no-hitter, and a late-game double. His standout performance caught the eye of manager Bob Melvin, who praised the young player’s confidence and impact.

Conclusion: A Historic Farewell

As the Giants and A’s meet for what could be the last time as Bay Area neighbors, the importance of the moment isn’t lost on anyone. The Bay Bridge Series has delivered countless memories and thrilling baseball moments, but Sunday’s game could mark the end of an era. With Blake Snell and JP Sears set to face off on the mound, and with young talent ready to make their mark, this final game promises to be a fitting conclusion to a legendary rivalry.

For a money-line pick, our lean would be to take the Athletics to come out on top at home. We also like the over in this one, as this is projected to be the 4th highest-scoring game of the day, and this one has our 2nd highest total strikeout projection. Oakland’s offense has the 5th highest projected home run total in today’s slate of games. JP Sears isn’t projected to work deep into the game, but the Athletics offense should have him covered.