Game Thread #21: A’s vs. Giants

Bay Bridge Series, continue!

The Oakland A’s are still in first place! The San Francisco Giants are still in last place! Different divisions, but same effect.

We saw the disparity in talent on Friday in the opener of the 2020 Bay Bridge Series. Even when spotted to a five-run lead in the 9th inning, the Giants still couldn’t put away their opponent, gifting them several free baserunners en route to an epic last-minute comeback and an extra-inning Oakland victory. The big blow was a 9th-inning grand slam, set up partly by a defensive miscue by first baseman Wilmer Flores.

The second game features lefty Sean Manaea on the mound for the A’s, looking for his first good start of the year. He’s often been brilliant for three innings at a time, but is yet to string together enough quality frames for a proper full start. If needed, Oakland does have long man Burch Smith available in the bullpen, one of the hottest pitchers in the majors and also an offseason acquisition from these very Giants — for the bargain price of cash considerations.

San Francisco counters with righty Kevin Gausman, who so far has an impressive 23 strikeouts to just two walks this season. His ERA is only alright, but he’s just the kind of sharp strike-thrower who can give this A’s lineup problems. If he does, then they’ll have to mount another comeback against the bullpen, which has been their habit this year anyway. Last time he faced Oakland, in 2018 as a member of the Orioles, he threw nine shutout innings but his team went on to lose in extras.

First pitch is 4:07 p.m., with the following options to watch or listen:

• TV: Fox (NOTE: DIFFERENT CHANNEL THAN NORMAL)
• Radio: 960 AM
• Online audio stream: iHeartRadio

A’s lineup (away)

1. SS Marcus Semien (R)
2. 2B Tony Kemp (L)
3. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
4. 1B Matt Olson (L)
5. CF Mark Canha (R)
6. LF Robbie Grossman (S)
7. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
8. DH Vimael Machin (L)
9. C Austin Allen (L)

• Sean Manaea, LHP

Machin in there for a turn at DH, and Allen for a turn behind the plate.

Giants lineup (home)

1. DH Austin Slater (R)
2. 2B Donovan Solano (R)
3. CF Mike Yastrzemski (L)
4. 3B Evan Longoria (R)
5. 1B Wilmer Flores (R)
6. RF Hunter Pence (R)
7. LF Darin Ruf (R)
8. C Chadwick Tromp (R)
9. SS Mauricio Dubon (R)

• Kevin Gausman, RHP

Flores back in there at first base, eeexcellent.

Let’s Go Oakland!