by Rod Pearson
Friday, May 22, 2026
Game Time: 9:40 pm ET, Saturday, May 23, 2026
Venue: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Where to Watch: MLB TV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Athletics -112, Padres -108; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Athletics -110, Padres -110; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Athletics -110, Padres -110; Over/Under: 7.5 runs
Season Record
Athletics: 26-24 (1st place, AL West)
San Diego Padres: 29-20 (2nd place, NL West)
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Recent Form
Athletics: 5-5 last 10
San Diego Padres: 6-4 last 10
Athletics vs San Diego Padres Preview and Analysis
The Athletics are entering this series off a win and won their 4-game series against the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 26-24 record overall and have a road record of 16-12. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Padres on Saturday with the series opener still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 7th in the MLB with a .726 OPS. Jeffrey Springs is their starting pitcher on Friday while J.T. Ginn is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA this season. His team won 2 of their last 3 games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 2 ER, 1 HR, and 1 BB with 10 SO on 2 hits through 8 IP against the Los Angeles Angels.
The Padres are entering this series off a loss and lost their 3-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers 2-1 in their last series. They enter this game with a 29-20 record overall and have a home record of 14-12. This is the 2nd game of a 3-game series with the Athletics on Saturday with the 1st game of this series still to be played on Friday. Their offense ranks 29th in the MLB with a .658 OPS. Walker Buehler is their starting pitcher on Friday while Lucas Giolito is making his start in this game on Saturday. He is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA this season. His team won their only game this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 3 earned runs, 0 homers, and 3 walks with 3 strikeouts on 1 hit through 5 innings pitched against the Seattle Mariners.
Athletics vs Padres Prediction
The current betting odds have the Athletics listed as a slight favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Athletics have looked good in their games this season with their 26-24 record overall which has them right at the top of the AL West. They have been a good road team too with their 16-12 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Padres have looked really good in their games this season with their 29-20 record overall which has them right near the top of the NL West. They have looked good in their own ballpark too with their 14-12 home record this season. The Padres are 6-4 in their last 10 games and they have been one of the best teams in the league this season while the Athletics are 5-5 in their last 10 games, but the Padres just lost their series against the Dodgers while the A's are off a 3-1 series win over the Angels and have some momentum now. The Padres also have one of the worst offenses in MLB right now while the Athletics have one of the best and they are going to be able to take advantage of this better pitching matchup. The Athletics are going with Ginn in this one and he has looked good this season. He is 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA and he hasn't been giving up many runs lately. He only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start which has been a common theme for him this year and the team has won 2 of their last 3 games with him starting too. The Padres are going with Giolito in this one and he didn't look great in his only start this season. The team won that game he started in, but he is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA after giving up 3 earned runs in 5 innings against the Mariners. He hasn't been great in recent years either and the A's have a really good offense that has been getting hot lately, putting up more runs. The Athletics can take advantage of the Padres who are starting to cool down now and they will be able to lean on that much better offense to win this one. The best way to place a bet here is on the Athletics to win this game.
Athletics Padres Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Saturday, May 23, 2026 (9:40 pm ET start time) is Athletics 4 Padres 1.
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MLB Betting Trends
Athletics: 13-24 (-10.4 units) on the moneyline against NL West opponents. 123-158 (-10.3 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 87-121 (-14.1 units) on the moneyline in the first half of the season. 8-3 UNDER on the road when the money line is +125 to -125. 4-0 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%).
San Diego Padres: 218-166 (+30.4 units) on the moneyline in all games. 114-78 (+9.1 units) on the moneyline in home games. 159-118 (+24.3 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 26-15 UNDER against AL West opponents. 11-6 UNDER in an inter-league game.
Key Injuries
Athletics: G. Hoglund (SP) Sixty Day IL - Knee. B. Kriske (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Shoulder. J. Wilson (SS) Ten Day IL - Shoulder. M. Muncy (3B) Ten Day IL - Hand. D. Clarke (CF) Ten Day IL - Foot.
San Diego Padres: L. Campusano (C) Ten Day IL - Toe. J. Merrill (CF) Day To Day - Back. M. Waldron (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Arm. J. Cronenworth (2B) Seven Day IL - Concussion. G. Marquez (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Forearm. B. Hoeing (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. N. Pivetta (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. J. Musgrove (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Brito (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow.
Notable Quotes
“It’s just unfortunate for him. He’s done everything he possibly can to be on the field. You go through rehab like he’s gone through, they’re trying times. I’ve been there with my back. I had a second surgery as well.” - Mark Kotsay on the injury to Gunnar Hoglund.
“It's natural for anyone to press when they are trying to get out of a slump. I think we are seeing that from a couple of guys, and you know [with] early swings, and swinging at a lot of things that they don't normally swing at. It's tough. This game is a mentally tough game.” - Craig Stammen on some of his players going through a slump.
Starting Lineups
Athletics
Carlos Cortes (L) RF
Shea Langeliers (R) C
Nick Kurtz (L) 1B
Brent Rooker (R) DH
Tyler Soderstrom (L) LF
Zack Gelof (R) 3B
Jeff McNeil (L) 2B
Darell Hernaiz (R) SS
Lawrence Butler (L) CF
San Diego Padres
Fernando Tatis Jr. (R) 2B
Miguel Andujar (R) DH
Gavin Sheets (L) 1B
Manny Machado (R) 3B
Xander Bogaerts (R) SS
Jackson Merrill (L) CF
Nick Castellanos (R) RF
Ramón Laureano (R) LF
Freddy Fermin (R) C
Statistical Leaders
Athletics
Batting Average: Michael Stefanic (.400)
Hits: Shea Langeliers (59)
Home Runs: Shea Langeliers (12)
RBI: Nick Kurtz (36)
Stolen Bases: Nick Kurtz (6)
Wins: Aaron Civale (5)
Saves: Hogan Harris (4)
ERA: Brooks Kriske (0.00)
San Diego Padres
Batting Average: Miguel Andujar (.290)
Hits: Xander Bogaerts (43)
Home Runs: Gavin Sheets (9)
RBI: Xander Bogaerts (23)
Stolen Bases: Fernando Tatis (12)
Wins: Randy Vásquez (5)
Saves: Mason Miller (15)
ERA: Yuki Matsui (0.00)
Managers:
Athletics: Mark Kotsay (5th season)
San Diego Padres: Craig Stammen (1st season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
