Game Thread #53: A’s vs. Giants

Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images

Bay Bridge Series, The Finale

The Oakland A’s and San Francisco Giants have one game left in the 2020 Bay Bridge Series, and it could prove to be a historic one.

The A’s have won all five meetings so far this year, including a sweep in the City in August and now the first two contests here in the Town this weekend. Since regular season interleague play began in 1997, neither side has ever swept the entire season series from the other, not even in years when they only played four dates against each other. The only sweep between them came in the 1989 World Series, when not even a major earthquake could prevent the A’s from utterly dominating the Giants.

The universe is throwing plenty more obstacles in the way this summer, including a pandemic and record levels of wildfire smoke, but once again Oakland has a chance to post a perfect record against their geographic rivals.

These games also have meaning in the standings. If Oakland wins today then they’ll clinch the AL West division crown, and they may do so even after a loss if the Houston Astros also lose their own game. Meanwhile, the Giants are in the thick of a tight and crowded NL Wild Card race, and every game has massive implications toward the goal of reaching October.

The Bridge Trophy is already wrapped up. The ALW division is a formality at this point. But the A’s can still play for the historic sweep, and to be spoilers for the Giants. It’ll be a battle of lefties, Mike Minor against Tyler Anderson.

First pitch is 1:10 p.m., with the following options to watch or listen:

• TV: NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM
• Online video stream: fuboTV
• Online audio stream: iHeartRadio

A’s lineup (home)

1. 2B Tommy La Stella (L)
2. SS Marcus Semien (R)
3. LF Mark Canha (R)
4. 1B Matt Olson (L)
5. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
6. DH Khris Davis (R)
7. 3B Jake Lamb (L)
8. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
9. C Sean Murphy (R)

• Mike Minor, RHP

Davis is freed! For today at least.

Giants lineup (away)

1. DH Austin Slater (R)
2. 2B Wilmer Flores (R)
3. 1B Brandon Belt (L)
4. LF Darin Ruf (R)
5. 3B Evan Longoria (R)
6. CF Mauricio Dubon (R)
7. SS Brandon Crawford (L)
8. RF Luis Alexander Basabe (S)
9. C Chadwick Tromp (R)

• Tyler Anderson, LHP

A couple familiar lefties back in there, even against the southpaw Minor.

Let’s Go Oakland!