Oakland Athletics at San Francisco Giants Pick (7/13/18)

It’s an interleague Battle by the Bay in San Francisco, California Friday night when the Oakland Athletics visit their crosstown rival San Francisco Giants. Friday night’s game kicks off a three-game series that’ll lead both teams into the All-Star Break. July 20th – 22nd, these two clubs will play their first post-All-Star Break series against each other at Oakland. The A’s are one of the hottest teams in baseball, winners of five straight series. San Francisco is heading in the right direction as well after taking two of three games from the Chicago Cubs in their most recent series at AT&T Park.

A’s the grade

This will be Oakland’s eighth game on their current ten game road trip to conclude the first half of the season. The A’s are 5-2 thus far, outscoring opponents 37-26. Thursday afternoon, the A’s were down 4-0 thru four innings at Houston. It wasn’t looking too great, but Oakland stormed back with six unanswered runs to down the reigning World Series Champions. Center Fielder Mark Canha (.262 AVG, 11 HR, 36 RBI & .336 OBP) went 2 for 4 (.500) and had the game-winning two-RBI single off Chris Devenski (2-2, 2.45 ERA & 1.01 WHIP). Another major contributor in the winning effort was right fielder Nick Martini (.250 AVG, 3 RBI & .250 OBP). Martini went three for five (.600) with two extra-base hits and two RBI. Devenski took the loss for the Astros, pitching just one-third of an inning and allowing three earned runs on four hits. Yusmeiro Petit (3-2, 3.36 ERA & 1.07 WHIP) earned the win allowing only one hit in 2.1 scoreless innings of relief.

Consequently, the A’s have won five consecutive series: 4-0 at Detroit, 2-1 versus Cleveland, 2-0 versus San Diego, 2-1 at Cleveland and 3-1 at Houston. Once five games below .500, the A’s are now a season-high 12 games above .500 at 53-41 (.564). Oakland’s in third place in the American League West, which is definitely the best division in Major League Baseball. They’re eight games behind the first place Houston Astros, who they just took three of four off of at Minute Maid Park. The A’s are also only 5.5 games back of Seattle for the second and final Wild Card spot in the American League. Oakland’s won 19 of their last 24 (.792) games, outscoring opponents 134-100. During the impressive stretch, the A’s are averaging 5.58 runs per game while allowing an average of 4.17 runs per game. Khris Davis (.250 AVG, 21 HR, 63 RBI & .328 OBP) is swinging a hot bat right now for the A’s. In his last six games, Davis has gone 10 for 27 (.370) with one homer, four extra-base hits, and six RBI. Closer Blake Treinen (5-2, 0.98 ERA & 0.96 WHIP) is Oakland’s lone All-Star this year. Treinen has been sensation coming out of the bullpen, converting 88.5% of his save attempts (23/26). The A’s look to continue their ascension up the American League Standings in San Francisco. They’re 29-20 (.592) on the road thus far.

Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.45 ERA & 0.93 WHIP) will get the ball for the A’s in what’ll be his fourth start of the season. The veteran right-hander is in his sixteenth year of MLB and boasts an impressive 4:1 strikeouts to walks ratio. On the road, Jackson’s recorded two no-decisions with a 2.41 ERA and 1.34 WHIP. In 12 career starts versus San Francisco, Jackson’s 5-4 with a 4.71 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. However, in his last three starts versus the Giants, he’s gone 3-0 with a 2.49 ERA and 1.22 WHIP.

Giants close in on NL West competition

At 49-46 (.516) overall, the San Francisco Giants are tied for third in the NL West Standings with Colorado. Both teams are 2.5 games behind division co-leaders: Los Angeles and Arizona. The Giants have won three of their last four contests, including a 5-4 extra innings victory over the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday. Buster Posey (.282 AVG, 5 HR, 28 RBI & .362 OBP) notched the game-winning RBI single in the bottom of the 13th inning with two outs to take two of three from Chicago in their most recent series. This will be the eighth game of a ten-game homestand for the Giants, and they’re currently 4-3. Buster Posey and Brandon Crawford (.295 AVG, 10 HR, 39 RBI & .362 OBP) will be the only two representatives for the Giants at the All-Star Game in Washington, D.C. Recently, Crawford’s been in a 3 for 25 (.120) slump the past week. At home this year, Posey’s hit .314 with four homers, 18 RBI, and nine extra-base hits. After a day off on Thursday, the Giants look to notch another win at home Friday night where they’re 30-17 (.638) this season. San Francisco’s right in the thick of the NL Wildcard race, four games behind Atlanta for the second and final playoff birth at this point in the year.

San Francisco’s ace Madison Bumgarner gets the ball in the opener versus the A’s. In seven starts this year, Bumgarner’s 2-3 with a 3.09 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. The 10th year veteran lefty hurler’s been great at home this season, compiling a 2-1 record in four starts with a 2.07 ERA and 1.00 WHIP. The 2014 World Series MVP is 3-2 versus the A’s in five career starts with a 5.18 ERA and 1.45 WHIP.

Value?

It’s hard to believe a team that’s won 19 of their last 24 (.792) is considered an underdog. However, this is the case here for the Oakland A’s at +155. According to this line, the A’s would need to win this game 39.2% of the time for it to be a profitable bet. In my opinion, Oakland wins this game 58.2% of the time. So, with a 19% edge, the value lies with the A’s in this Bay area battle.
Speaking of value, get the best value on your wagers at a sportsbook offering reduced juice MLB lines – Baseball Dime Line Betting.