San Francisco Giants at Oakland Athletics odds, picks and predictions

The San Francisco Giants (61-49) open a quick 2-game weekend series on the road against the Oakland Athletics (30-80). First pitch for Saturday’s series opener from Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is at 7:07 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Giants vs. Athletics odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Giants lead 2-0.

The Giants had a 1-0 shutout win over the Arizona Diamondbacks Thursday for their 3rd straight win. They are 7-2 in their last 9 games and in 2nd place in the NL West, trailing the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers by 3 games.

The A’s were swept on the road by the Dodgers and have lost 4 games in a row. They are 3-9 in their last 12 games as they evaluate players for the future.

Giants at Athletics projected starters

RHP Ross Stripling vs. RHP Paul Blackburn

Stripling (0-4, 5.52 ERA) makes his 11th start and 17th appearance. He has a 1.34 WHIP, 1.6 BB/9 and 7.0 K/9 through 62 IP.

• Las appearance: No decision, 4 1/3 IP in relief, 1 ER, 4 H, 0 BB, 3 K in 4-3 home win over Boston Red Sox July 30
• Giants 1-4 in his last 5 starts

Blackburn (2-2, 4.83 ERA) makes his 11th start and 12th appearance. He has a 1.57 WHIP, 3.0 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 through 54 IP.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 2 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 7 K in 11-3 road win over Colorado Rockies July 29
• Has allowed 2 or fewer runs in 6 starts

Giants at Athletics odds

BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:20 a.m. ET.

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Giants at Athletics picks and predictions

Prediction

Giants 4, Athletics 2

The Giants have won 7 of their last 9 games.

The A’s have lost 9 of their last 12 games and are 5-17 in their last 22 games.

The Giants won both games against the A’s at home.

While Stripling has not won a game, it is a tough sell to pick the A’s to win in the upset.

PASS.

Six of the Giants’ last 8 wins have been by only 1 run, but Oakland’s last 5 losses and 12 of their last 17 have been by at least 2 runs.

The Giants are 26-25 ATS on the road this season.

BET GIANTS -1.5 (+100).

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The Giants have allowed 3 or fewer runs in 8 of their last 9 games. Their last 7 contests have failed to reach 8 total runs.

Six of the last 7 for the A’s have had more than 8 total runs.

The Giants have scored more than 4 runs only once in their last 15 games.

BET UNDER 8.5 (-115).

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