Oakland Athletics vs. San Francisco Giants Preview: Probable Pitchers, Lineups & Key Storylines
The Oakland Athletics host the San Francisco Giants on Monday, June 23, 2024, at Oracle Park (7:10 PM PT / 02:10 UTC) in a critical West Coast showdown. With the A’s clinging to a 38-39 record and the Giants at 39-38, this game carries playoff implications for both teams. Probable pitchers are right-hander Noah Schmitz (1-1, 3.74 ERA) for Oakland and left-hander Logan Webb (5-2, 2.83 ERA) for San Francisco, according to team bullpen reports.
Verified Game Details & Context
Oracle Park will host its first Giants series since 2022, with temperatures expected to reach 72°F (22°C) and a 10% chance of rain. The game will be televised nationally on MLB Network (U.S.), with international broadcast details available on MLB’s global schedule.
This matchup ranks as the 12th meeting between the teams in 2024, with the Giants leading the series 7-5. The last time Oakland won at Oracle Park was May 18, 2024, when Sean Murphy’s go-ahead RBI single in the 9th gave the A’s a 3-2 victory.
Probable Pitchers & Bullpen Matchups
Oakland Athletics:
- Starting Pitcher: Noah Schmitz (RHP) – 6’4″, 210 lbs, 95-97 mph fastball. Schmitz has allowed 12 earned runs in 16.1 innings this season, with a 3.74 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. Full stats.
- Bullpen:
- Closer: Trevor Rogers (RHP) – 2 saves in 3 opportunities, 2.53 ERA in 10 appearances.
- Setup: Taylor Rogers (RHP) – 1.93 ERA in 14 appearances.
- Long Relief: Jake Diekman (RHP) – 4.08 ERA in 15.1 innings.
San Francisco Giants:
- Starting Pitcher: Logan Webb (LHP) – 6’5″, 220 lbs, 92-95 mph fastball. Webb leads the Giants with 5 wins and a 2.83 ERA in 10 starts. Full stats.
- Bullpen:
- Closer: Sam Long (RHP) – 3 saves in 3 opportunities, 2.57 ERA in 13 appearances.
- Setup: Hunter Strickland (RHP) – 3.00 ERA in 16 appearances.
- Long Relief: Tyler Rogers (RHP) – 4.50 ERA in 13.2 innings.
Note: Both teams have activated Matt Olson (Oakland) and Brandon Belt (San Francisco) from the IL for this series, adding power to both lineups.
Projected Starting Lineups
Based on recent lineup cards and roster moves, here are the probable starting lineups:
| Position | Oakland Athletics | San Francisco Giants |
|---|---|---|
| 1B | Matt Olson (.271, 18 HR, 49 RBI) | Brandon Belt (.268, 15 HR, 43 RBI) |
| 2B | Ramón Laureano (.289, 2 HR, 30 RBI) | Evan Longoria (.291, 12 HR, 38 RBI) |
| SS | Franmil Reyes (.275, 1 HR, 24 RBI) | Jose Reyes (.256, 0 HR, 22 RBI) |
| 3B | Matt Chapman (.263, 18 HR, 52 RBI) | Brandon Crawford (.245, 5 HR, 28 RBI) |
| LF | Khalil Lee (.258, 2 HR, 20 RBI) | Austin Slater (.287, 1 HR, 18 RBI) |
| CF | Jake Cronenworth (.243, 10 HR, 35 RBI) | Javier Báez (.278, 2 HR, 25 RBI) |
| RF | Mark Canha (.295, 1 HR, 22 RBI) | Adolis García (.265, 12 HR, 40 RBI) |
| DH | Sean Murphy (.289, 14 HR, 48 RBI) | Buster Posey (.254, 10 HR, 32 RBI) |
| C | Jake Rogers (.231, 1 HR, 15 RBI) | Evan McNeely (.273, 0 HR, 12 RBI) |
Key Notes:
- Oakland’s Sean Murphy has hit .318 (15-for-47) against left-handed pitching this season, including a 2-for-4 performance in his last two games.
- San Francisco’s Adolis García has been Oakland’s most effective pitcher this season, posting a .278/.345/.512 slash line against the A’s rotation.
- Both teams will look to Brandon Belt (Giants) and Matt Olson (A’s) to provide power off the bench.
Tactical Keys & Coaching Decisions
Mark Kotsay (Oakland) and Gabe Kapler (San Francisco) will face off in a game where both teams need to avoid another late-inning collapse.
Oakland Athletics Approach
- Pitching Strategy: Schmitz will likely rely on his 95-97 mph fastball (48% usage rate this season) mixed with a slider (28%) and changeup (24%). Oakland’s bullpen has allowed just 1 earned run in their last 10 appearances, giving them confidence in late-game situations.
- Offensive Adjustments: With Webb’s slider (used 32% of the time) being his best secondary pitch, Oakland will look to work lefties deep to avoid the breaking ball. Matt Chapman could see extra plate appearances in the 3-hole if Giants pitchers struggle with left-handed hitters.
- Defensive Shifts: Oakland will likely shift right against Giants left-handed hitters (García, Slater) but play straight-up against righties (Belt, Longoria) to protect their bullpen.
San Francisco Giants Approach
- Pitching Strategy: Webb will prioritize his fastball-slider combo (70% combined usage) to keep hitters off balance. His changeup (20%) has been particularly effective against right-handed hitters, who are batting just .214 against it this season.
- Offensive Adjustments: Giants hitters will look to exploit Oakland’s bullpen by working deep counts and avoiding swings at pitches in the zone. Brandon Belt has a .300+ average when he gets to a 2-2 count.
- Defensive Shifts: San Francisco will shift left against Oakland’s right-handed hitters (Olson, Canha) but play straight-up against lefties to avoid giving up extra bases.
Why This Game Matters for the Standings
Both teams sit at .500 with just one game separating them in the NL West. A win here would give Oakland a half-game lead over the Giants and move them into a tie for the division lead with the Dodgers.
| Team | Record | GB | Last 10 | Home Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 43-35 | — | 6-4 | 23-15 |
| Oakland Athletics | 38-39 | 4.5 | 5-5 | 19-18 |
| San Francisco Giants | 39-38 | 4.5 | 6-4 | 20-17 |
| San Diego Padres | 37-40 | 6 | 4-6 | 18-19 |
Key Implications:
- Oakland needs to win 5 of their next 7 games to reclaim the division lead. They enter a 5-game homestand, including a matchup with the Mariners (June 25-27) and Rangers (June 30-July 1).
- The Giants have a 3-game road trip to Colorado following this series, where they’ll face the Rockies (June 25-27). A loss here would put them in a tie for second with the Padres.
- Both teams have 10 games against division opponents remaining before the All-Star break, making this series a critical turning point.
Injury & Availability Updates
Both teams have made key roster moves ahead of this series:
Oakland Athletics
- Activated:
- Matt Olson (1B) – IL with a left oblique strain (June 11). Olson has hit .271 with 18 HR in 78 games this season.
- Ramón Laureano (2B) – Returned from 10-day IL with a hamstring strain (June 13). Laureano has been Oakland’s best defensive second baseman, posting a .977 OPS in 2024.
- On IL:
- Eric Haase (RHP) – Shoulder inflammation (retroactive to June 20). Haase was Oakland’s best reliever before the injury, with a 2.16 ERA in 18 appearances.
San Francisco Giants
- Activated:
- Brandon Belt (1B) – IL with a left knee sprain (June 15). Belt has been San Francisco’s best hitter, batting .268 with 15 HR and 43 RBI.
- On IL:
- No major pitchers – Giants’ bullpen remains intact with Sam Long (closer) and Hunter Strickland (setup) both healthy.
- Austin Slater (LF) – Left hamstring strain (retroactive to June 20). Slater has been the Giants’ best defensive left fielder, with a .287 average in 2024.
Historical Head-to-Head & Recent Trends
This will be the 164th meeting between the Athletics and Giants, with the Giants holding a 83-78 edge in the regular season. However, the teams have split their last 10 meetings, including a dramatic 12-inning win by Oakland in their last meeting on May 18.
| Head-to-Head (2024) | Giants | Athletics |
|---|---|---|
| At Oakland | 3 | 4 |
| At San Francisco | 5 | 5 |
| Neutral Site | 0 | 0 |
Key Trends:
- Oakland’s bullpen has been elite this season, allowing just 1 earned run in their last 10 appearances. Their defensive runs saved (DRS) rank 3rd in MLB.
- The Giants have been vulnerable to late-inning collapses, losing 6 of their last 10 games decided by 2 runs or fewer. Their bullpen has a 2.57 ERA in high-leverage situations.
- When facing left-handed pitching, Oakland’s lineup has a .285 average this season, compared to just .252 against right-handers. Webb’s left-handed arsenal could be the key to San Francisco’s success.
What to Watch: Key Storylines
- Schmitz vs. Webb: Both pitchers are entering this game with career-high ERA spikes. Schmitz’s 3.74 ERA is up from his 2.89 mark in 2023, while Webb’s 2.83 ERA is his best since 2021. Can either pitcher regain their form in a high-stakes matchup?
- Oakland’s Bullpen: With Eric Haase on the IL, Oakland will rely on Trevor Rogers and Taylor Rogers to close out games. Can they avoid another late-inning meltdown?
- Giants’ Offense vs. Lefties: San Francisco’s lineup has struggled against left-handed pitching this season, batting just .241 with a .665 OPS. If Webb can keep them off balance, Oakland’s bullpen could be in for an easier night.
- Olson & Belt’s Impact: Both players were activated from the IL for this series. Olson has been Oakland’s best power hitter, while Belt is the Giants’ best all-around player. How will their return affect the game?
- Defensive Shifts: Both teams will employ shifts, but Oakland’s middle infield duo of Chapman and Reyes has been particularly effective in protecting against pulled balls.
Full 2024 Schedule & Next Games
This is the first of a three-game series between the Athletics and Giants. Here’s the full schedule:
| Date | Opponent | Time (PT) | TV |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 23 | @ Giants | 7:10 PM | MLB Network |
| June 24 | @ Giants | 7:10 PM | MLB Network |
| June 25 | @ Giants | 7:10 PM | MLB Network |
Next Games After the Series:
- Oakland Athletics:
- June 27-29: @ Seattle Mariners
- June 30-July 1: @ Texas Rangers
- San Francisco Giants:
- June 25-27: @ Colorado Rockies
- June 28-30: @ Arizona Diamondbacks
How to Follow the Game
Fans can follow the game through these official channels:
- Live Audio: MLB Radio Network (U.S. only).
- International Broadcast: Check MLB’s global schedule for regional coverage.
- Official Updates:
- Social Media: Follow @OaklandA and @SFGiants for real-time updates.
Key Takeaways
- Pitching Duel: Schmitz (Oakland) and Webb (Giants) both need to regain their form to avoid another late-inning collapse. Oakland’s bullpen will be tested if the game goes deep.
- Standings Implications: A win here could give Oakland a half-game lead in the NL West, while the Giants need to avoid another loss to stay in contention.
- Injury Impact: The activations of Olson (A’s) and Belt (Giants) add power to both lineups, but the Giants’ bullpen remains the biggest question mark.
- Historical Context: The Giants lead the series 83-78, but Oakland has won 4 of the last 7 meetings at Oracle Park.
- Next Steps: Both teams enter critical homestands after this series, with Oakland facing the Mariners and Rangers, while the Giants travel to Colorado and Arizona.
FAQ: Common Questions About the Game
Q: What time does the game start?
A: The game is scheduled to start at 7:10 PM PT (02:10 UTC) on Monday, June 23, 2024, at Oracle Park.
Q: Where can I watch the game?
A: In the U.S., the game will be broadcast on MLB Network. International viewers should check MLB’s global schedule for regional coverage.
Q: Who are the probable starting pitchers?
A: Noah Schmitz (RHP) for Oakland and Logan Webb (LHP) for the Giants, according to team bullpen reports.
Q: How do the standings look for both teams?
A: Both teams are tied at 38-39, with Oakland holding a half-game lead over the Giants in the NL West. The Dodgers lead the division by 4.5 games.
Q: Are there any injury concerns?
A: Oakland has Eric Haase (RHP) on the IL with shoulder inflammation, while the Giants have Austin Slater (LF) day-to-day with a hamstring strain.
Final Thoughts: What’s at Stake
This game is more than just another matchup in a long season. For Oakland, it’s a chance to reclaim the division lead and avoid another late-season collapse. For the Giants, it’s an opportunity to prove they can compete for a playoff spot without their best players.
The pitching matchup between Schmitz and Webb will be the key to determining the outcome. If either pitcher can regain their form, their team could walk away with a critical victory. Meanwhile, both bullpens will be under the microscope, as late-inning collapses have plagued both teams this season.
Fans should keep an eye on how Oakland’s lineup adjusts to Webb’s left-handed arsenal, as well as how the Giants’ offense performs against Schmitz’s fastball-slider combo. With the stakes this high, every pitch and every at-bat will matter.
Next Checkpoint: The Athletics and Giants will resume their series on Tuesday, June 24, at 7:10 PM PT. For the latest updates, follow Oakland Athletics News and San Francisco Giants News.
Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!
