by Chuck Sommers
Tuesday, Jul 27, 2021Game Time: 4:10 p.m. ET, Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Venue: Petco Park, San Diego, CA
Where to Watch: NBCSCA, Bally Sports San Diego, MLBN (out of market)
Season-to-Date Record:
Oakland A's: 56-45 (Second place, American League West)
San Diego Padres: 58-44 (Third place, National League West)
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks:
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Padres -155; Over/Under: 8.5 runs
Key Injuries:
Oakland Athletics: Chad Pinder (hamstring)
San Diego Padres: Wil Myers (hamstring), Dinelson Lamet (forearm),
Recent Lineups:
Athletics:
Canha (LF)
Laureano (CF)
Olson (1B)
Lowrie (2B)
Murphy (C)
Brown (RF)
Chapman (3B)
Andrus (SS)
Manaea (P)
Padres:
Frazier (LF)
Tatis Jr. (SS)
Cronenworth (2B)
Machado (3B)
Hosmer (1B)
Pham (RF)
Grisham (CF)
Caratini (C)
Snell (P)
Statistical Leaders:
Oakland:
Batting Average: Olson (.287)
Hits: Olson (99)
Home Runs: Olson (27)
RBI: Olson (66)
Stolen Bases: Laureano (11)
Wins: Bassitt (10)
Saves: Trivino (16)
ERA: Kaprielian (2.65)
Padres:
Batting Average: Tatis Jr. (.289)
Hits: Cronenworth (102)
Home Runs: Tatis Jr. (30)
RBI: Machado (68)
Stolen Bases: Tatis Jr. (23)
Wins: Darvish (7)
Saves: Melancon (30)
ERA: Musgrove (3.13)
Managers:
Oakland: Bob Melvin (11th season)
San Diego: Jayce Tingler (2nd season)
Recent Form
Tuesday began a two-game series between the two California clubs. One would like to think it's a World Series preview. The only problem is the Padres seem to be their own worst enemy at the most inopportune times.
This is the second game of a six-game homestand for the Padres. San Diego is coming off a nine-game road trip; they went 5-4, but San Diego returns home after a split with the Miami Marlins, losing the last two.
The A's entered this quick trip to Petco Park having lost three straight and slowly moving out of favor from the Houston Astros in the AL West.
Both teams have split their past 10 games, but the Padres have won seven consecutive games at home against a team with a winning record. Oakland, however, came into Tuesday 8-3 in its last 11 meetings against the Padres
Series History:
These are the first meetings between the teams this season.
Statistical Comparison:
It's going to be a battle of two top-10 pitching staffs. The Padres have the fourth-best ERA in the league at 3.50, while their 1.21 WHIP is tied for ninth-best in the league. San Diego went all-in on the starting pitching, with the likes of Chris Paddack, Yu Darvish and Blake Snell forming into a quality pitching staff.
Oakland is a middle-of-the-road hitting team as far as putting it in play, but homers are where they shine. Led by Matt Olson nearing 30 dingers, the A's have the 12th most in the league. Going into a park where runs could be at a premium, it might be a time of two-baggers and base knocks to get things rolling.
Athletics vs Padres Game Preview
The Athletics are in need of a rebound. Things looked positive after two home wins against the Los Angeles Angels before losing three of four to the Seattle Mariners at what will forever be Safeco Field. Oakland lost 4-3 on Sunday to round-out a thud of a finish.
It doesn't get easier for Oakland with that six-game road trip, starting Tuesday night. Sean Manaea is expected to get the call for the A's. He allowed one run in seven innings last Tuesday to go with 13 strikeouts in a 4-1 win at Seattle.
The Padres are fun offensively, which has never been said in this lexicon. Fernando Tatis Jr. is who he is and we hope he never gets injured ever again. Manny Machado entered Tuesday with hits in nine of his past 10 games (.343 batting average, and eight RBIs). Starting pitcher Blake Snell has mostly lived up to his expectations since being traded from Tampa Bay. He'll get the call for an important game Tuesday.
San Diego is also integrating Adam Frazier into the lineup after acquiring him from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.
Notable quotes
"I think the Padres are the most exciting team to watch in baseball. Every night when we'd get done, I'd come home, sit on the couch and watch the Padres. I think it's very exciting for the game. The whole country has taken notice, and it's fun to watch. Happy to be a part of it." -- Padres infielder Adam Frazier
Prediction: Padres 7, Athletics 3. It's that time for one of these teams to start making some waves, and expect a good outing from Snell.
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
