In this article, we will formulate a Giants vs Athletics prediction for this MLB game on Sunday, May 18, at Oracle Park in San Francisco, California. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.
Athletics Betting Preview
The Athletics (22-24, 14-11 Away) lost eight of the last ten games, losing the series to the Mariners, Yankees, and Dodgers in the process. The A’s will add another series loss after scoring just one run in two games against the San Francisco Giants. Following a 9-1 loss, they fell short 1-0 in extra innings last night. Luis Severino pitched for 6.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing no runs on four hits with five strikeouts and one walk. Mason Miller took the loss.
This year, the Athletics average 4.38 runs per game (14th in the MLB) on a .256/.315/.423 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Athletics’ staff has a 5.28 ERA (26th) and 1.51 WHIP (29th). Tyler Soderstrom leads the Athletics with a .278 batting average, ten home runs, and 30 RBI this season.
The projected starting pitcher for the Athletics is Jeffrey Springs, who is 5-3 in nine starts this season, with a 4.27 ERA and 1.38 WHIP in 46.1 innings.
San Francisco Giants Betting Preview
The San Francisco Giants (27-19, 15-7 Home) beat the Chicago Cubs and then were swept by the Twins and lost the series to the Diamondbacks. The Giants are back to winning ways after a couple of victories over the Athletics in the current series. In Saturday’s 1-0 victory, Wilmer Flores drew a game-winning walk with bases loaded in the 10th inning, while Landen Roupp pitched for 6.0 innings in a no-decision, allowing no runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Camilo Doval was credited with the win.
This season, the Giants average 4.84 runs per game (8th in the MLB) on a .239/.315/.393 triple-slash. When it comes to pitching, the Giants’ staff has a 3.48 ERA (8th) and 1.23 WHIP (12th). Wilmer Flores leads the Giants with a .263 batting average, ten home runs, and 42 RBI this season.
Justin Verlander will take the mound for the Giants on Sunday. The 42-year-old right-hander has a 0-3 record in nine starts this year with a 4.31 ERA and 1.35 WHIP in 48.0 innings.
Why the Giants will beat the Athletics
- The Giants have won each of their last six day games against teams that held a losing record.
- The Athletics have lost each of their last nine games as road underdogs following an extra innings loss.
- The Giants have covered the run line in seven of their last eight games at Oracle Park.
- The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games as road underdogs following an extra innings loss.
- The Athletics have trailed after 3 innings in eight of their last nine Sunday games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
- The Giants have led after 5 innings in four of their last five day games.
Total Runs Facts
- Eight of the Athletics’ last nine games have gone OVER the total runs line.
- Six of the Giants’ last seven games as favorites against AL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
- The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in eight of the Giants’ last nine day games against American League opponents.
- The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in five of the Athletics’ last six games at Oracle Park.
Matchup/League Facts
- The Giants rank 8th in the league for runs scored this season (219).
- The Giants rank T8th in the league for RBIs this season (209).
- The Athletics rank 28th in the league for steals this season (20).
- The Athletics rank T28th in the league for hits allowed this season (428).
Giants vs Athletics Prediction
The Giants won six of the previous ten H2H encounters, including four of the last five. Justin Verlander is still looking for his first win as a Giant, and I am backing him to get it on Sunday. The timing is right for him to get it, as the A’s are on a four-game losing streak and not playing well offensively, scoring just one run in this series. Verlander allowed a .206 BA in 63 at-bats against the Athletics in his career. Although I am not ignoring the fact that Jeffrey Springs posted three strong starts recently, allowing only three runs in the process, I am going with Verlander and the Giants.