Is there another close matchup on the horizon heading into the June 27th A’s at Giants contest? These Bay Area rivals have battled to 2-0 and 6-5 tilts so far this weekend, both San Francisco wins. SF is red hot, winning 10 of their last 11 while the Athletics have dropped 6 of their last 8.
Their recent success and the fact they are at home has made the Giants a -141 favorite on Sunday. Oakland has had their chances so far this weekend, giving them some value as +120 underdogs. The A’s are also 7-1 in their last 8 after losing the first two games of a series. Will that trend keep up in this one as Oakland tries to avoid the sweep?
A’s Try to Get Their Bats Going
Oakland plated five runs in Saturdays loss, but did so somewhat impressively on just 5 hits thanks largely in part to a 2-un HR from Matt Chapman. It was a much better outing than Friday’s 2-0 loss in which the A’s couldn’t get anything going offensively.
Sunday does have the potential for a big offensive showing for the Athletics for the mere fact that Cole Irvin (5-7, 3.98 ERA) is getting the start. In the lefty’s last two outings, Oakland has won 13-6 over the Rangers and 8-4 against the Angels. The A’s give Irvin nice run support, and are also 67-27 in their last 94 vs. a LH starter.
Irvin will be making his first ever appearance in the A’s / Giants rivalry, and neither starter has faced anyone from the opposing team. The Southpaw has given up 7 ER in his last two starts (10.2 IP) on 16 hits. Irvin has allowed 3+ runs in five of his last seven, making the betting total of 8.5 seem kind of low for the June 27th A’s at Giants contest.
San Francisco Is On Fire
It was supposed to be the Dodgers’ division to run away with, but instead it’s the Giants who have built a 4.5 lead over L.A. and 5.5 padding on San Diego in the NL West. The Giants have won five straight, 9 of their last 10, and are 26-10 at home on the season. SF is 40-17 in their last 57 home games.
It’s been no Buster Posey (back) no problem for the Giants this weekend. Backup catcher Curt Casali hit a home run in Friday’s 2-0 win and then drove in the winning run in the bottom of the 10th in Saturday’s walk-off. LaMonte Wade, Jr. also had a HR on Saturday and reached base three times from the leadoff spot.
Irvin will give up some runs for Oakland, so it’s up to Sam Long (1-0, 4.20 ERA) to minimize the damage from the Giants side. The rookie is making just his second career start on Sunday, going 6.0 IP while allowing just 2 ER in an 11-2 win over the Phillies last time out. Long also has two long relief appearances this season, giving up 5 ER over 9.0 IP.
Free June 27th A’s at Giants Pick
San Francisco isn’t as pricey as you’d think with the amazing run they are on recently. The Giants were -120 and -100 in their two previous wins this series, but -141 at home still has value. Irvin will give up runs, and SF will take them.
Giants 6 – A’s 4
Free Pick: Giants -141
Free Pick: Over 8.5
