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The San Francisco Giants and the Oakland Athletics will finish up a three-game series on Sunday afternoon. It's time to continue our MLB odds series and make a Giants-Athletics prediction and pick.
These two teams have split the first two games of this series, making Sunday's matchup a crucial rubber match for both teams. The Giants are currently holding a 1.5 game lead in the NL West, barely staying ahead the rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Every game is extremely important for San Francisco, especially since the Dodgers have won their last nine games. The Athletics are actually in a similar spot to Los Angeles, as they're also chasing a division leading-rival that is one of the best teams in baseball. Oakland is 3.5 games back of the Houston Astros in the AL West, and every win helps them inch closer. Expect both of these teams to play their best baseball in what should be a good rubber match.
Here's how the bookmakers have set the lines for Sunday's game.
MLB Odds: Giants-Athletics Odds
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San Francisco Giants ML (-103)
Oakland Athletics ML (-107)
Over 8 runs (+100)
Under 8 runs (-120)
Why The Giants Could Cover The Spread
The Giants have been one of the most surprising teams in the MLB, and a big part of their success has been their equally surprising pitching rotation. One of the best members of that rotation has been starter Logan Webb.
Webb has put up elite numbers this season, earning himself a 2.92 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Those are some of the best numbers in the league, but they get even better in Webb's last seven games. Over that span, the righty has posted a 2.01 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP. Webb is clearly in the middle of a hot streak, and it's very possible that that streak continues for at least one more game.
Webb also has one of the best offenses in all of baseball at his back. The Giants' lineup ranks inside the top ten in every major batting statistic, including batting average, OBP, OPS, and slugging percentage. This lineup is a tough task for any pitcher to get through, so Oakland starter Frankie Montas could be in for a long day.
Why The Athletics Could Cover The Spread
The aforementioned Montas is a similar case to Webb. Montas has slightly worse season-long numbers than the Giants starter, but his 4.04 ERA and 1.27 WHIP on the year are still more than solid stats. Like Webb, Montas has been red-hot from the mound lately. Over his last seven starts, Montas has pitched to the tune of 2.74 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Those numbers indicate an extremely high level of play, and that should continue in this matchup.
Montas also has a couple of stats going his way in this matchup with the Giants hitters. San Francisco's offense is much worse on the road, earning lower batting stats across the board when they play on the road. Montas also only allows a walk rate of 6.8%, which is a huge factor against a team that specializes in drawing walks. Montas' strikeout rate is 26.3%, a great number that should help him against a San Francisco lineup that hardly strikes out against lesser pitchers.
Final Giants-Athletics Prediction & Pick
This should be a great game, and it wouldn't be surprising if it ends in a walk-off for either side. The under is the safest pick here, as the money lines are too close to call. Both teams have great pitchers on the mound, and both bullpens are more than capable of holding an offense down. Lock in the under and don't look back.
FINAL PICK: Under 8 runs (-120)
