The Giants have been struggling big time and this week is going to be tough with 4 games against the A\u2019s, these first two on the road followed by two at home. They dropped the opener last night showing little life – they have now lost 7 of their last 10. <\/p>\n
San Francisco Giants (49-40) vs. Oakland A\u2019s (56-33)<\/strong>
\n Tuesday July 8<\/strong>
\n o.co Coliseum – Oakland, CA<\/strong>
\n 10:05PM<\/strong>
\n Probable pitchers<\/strong>
\n SF: \u00a0Madison Bumgarner (L)<\/strong>
\n OAK: \u00a0Sonny Gray (R)<\/strong>
\n Moneyline: \u00a0Oakland -131, San Francisco +121<\/strong>
\n Total: \u00a07<\/strong>
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San Francisco<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Again the offense was light, scoring just a single run. I wouldn\u2019t have thought it but Angel Pagan is huge for this team. He is out until late July to let his back recover and the team is 6-14 without him in the lineup this season.<\/p>\n
You can make a strong argument that Madison Bumgarner has graduated to the head of the class for the Giants this season.<\/p>\n
Sure Tim Hudson may have a better ERA but Bumgarner has the most dominant stuff and is leading the team in wins and strikeouts. Were it not for another west coast lefty named Kershaw he would get a lot more attention.
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\nHowever, as the Giants have struggles he has shouldered his share of the blame.<\/p>\nOakland<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Oakland is on another roll, and they have to be with the Angels and Mariners breathing down their necks.<\/p>\n
They head into G2 of this short home series against the Giants on a 5 game winning streak after sweeping the Blue Jays over the weekend.<\/p>\n
Over the 5 games they have given up just 4 runs with their pitching acquisitions showing immediate returns. This team is loaded up for a big time push and it will be interesting to see if the other teams in the division respond.<\/p>\n
The A\u2019s made the big deal to acquire a couple of starters from the Cubbies but it is not because Sonny Gray has not performed. In his first full season the righty has proven last year was no fluke.<\/p>\n
The A\u2019s have won his last three starts and now that they have a couple of additional arms they don\u2019t have to burn him out this season.<\/p>\n
This is a great duel between him and Bumgarner by the Bay.<\/p>\n
When the Giants play the runs are always scarce, throw a quality starting pitcher into the mix and they should be even more so.<\/p>\n
Both of these pitchers are top quality but I am banking on the A\u2019s being able to scratch out a few more runs than San Francisco. They are catching the Giants at just the right time.<\/p>\n