MLB: Oakland Athletics vs San Francisco Giants Betting Preview 

Robbie Ray For The Win

The San Francisco Giants (53-55) need to take advantage of the gift that the Major League Baseball schedule has given, continuing with a two-game set against the Oakland Athletics (44-64).

The Giants will send Robbie Ray (1-0, 1.80) to the hill, hoping to extend their win streak to five games against J.P. Sears (7-8, 4.81) for the Athletics. MLB consensus betting lines opened the Giants as a -184 home favorite with a total of 7.5 (over -115).

The first pitch from Oracle Park is scheduled for 9:45 p.m. ET / 6:45 p.m. PT and can be seen on NBC Sports California and NBC Sports Bay Area. Let’s jump into our Athletics vs Giants betting preview.

Countdown To The End In Oakland

We’re clueless about what or where the Oakland Athletics will call their home in 2028. Still, in the meantime, we know it has to be tough being part of the organization as a player and even tougher to put your cash behind an ownership group that won’t put their money behind their fans.

In 2024, the Athletics are 44-64 but only in the red by 3.66 units (20th in Baseball) making them a competitive wager but knowing you’ll win just over 40% of the time, they’re not an attractive option which is why we’ll put out cash on the total.

J.P. Sears needs to bounce back after his worst outing of the season when the Houston Astros touched him up for seven earned runs, nine hits, and a homer in six innings in an 8-1 loss. However, his recent form shows that he’s made improvements.

Over his last 28.1 innings, the former Citadel Bulldog has allowed 13 earned runs, including the seven against Houston, for a 4.13 ERA.

Sears has had plenty of base runners with 29 hits allowed but his 31 k’s and low walk total (4) have helped the 28-year-old through, despite opponents hitting .360 over his previous two outings. As an underdog in 2024, Oakland is 35-61 (.365) -7.75 units (26th in MLB).

When getting +150 or more, the Athletics are 15-31 (-1.42 units) and 42-109 (-27.20) over the last two seasons.

Giants Sweep Rockies, Creep Closer Playoff Spot

It’s hard to believe but the Giants and Athletics have not met this season, but that may be good news for the A’s who have dropped seven of their last 10 head-to-head meetings.

As of now, San Francisco is 2.5 games behind the New York Mets for the final wild-card spot but still have to leap over the Arizona Diamondbacks (55-51), St. Louis Cardinals (54-51), and Pittsburgh Pirates (53-52) to make their way into the postseason.

That makes this stretch of games against teams under .500 a make-or-break portion of the season. The Giants started this run of 16 straight games against opponents they need to and can beat – with a 4-game sweep against Colorado.

Over the next four series, their opponents are a combined 195-231 (-0.73 units). Robbie Ray, who has made just two starts since 2022 due to Tommy John surgery, will make his second start of the season after a masterful no-hit performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers in five innings, a Giants 8-3 win.

He may not have glowing MLB stats in 2024 but he is a former Cy Young Award winner and an ERA champ (2.84) in 2021. We conclude our Athletics vs Giants preview with our official recommendation.

Moneyline Compels Us To Look Towards Total

The Athletics struggles have been well documented but that doesn’t mean we’re in any mood to lay a massive price with San Francisco who are -5.02 units in the red in 2024.

Yes, they’ve been more detrimental to a bankroll than Oakland. Wind could play a factor in betting totals with gusts expected to be between 9 and 12 mph, blowing straight out to center.

That means we’re waiting and watching the public jump on the over, pushing that juice a little more in our direction, and perhaps we’ll get a bump in the actual number.

Where bettors fail in their handicapping is the weather is already factored into the number and judging by the 7.5, books rolling out the red carpet for over bets.

We’re not falling for that, our Major League Baseball expert pick is to take the over 7.5 but wait until this number gets down to -110 or -105.

All the best with your MLB picks and parlays this week and we hope all your teams make the right moves at the deadline.

For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.

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