Game Context & Stakes

The Athletics and Padres enter this matchup tied for second place in the AL West and NL West, respectively, each with a 26-25 record. For Oakland, this game comes after a tough three-game series against Seattle, where they dropped two of three. The Padres, meanwhile, are looking to capitalize on momentum after a sweep of the Rockies last week.

This is the first meeting between the two teams in 2026, and the winner will take sole possession of first place in their respective divisions. With the All-Star Break approaching on July 14, every series matters in these tightly packed divisions.

Probable Pitchers

Both teams have made key decisions to their rotations heading into this high-stakes matchup.

Woodson has been Oakland’s most consistent starter, while Musgrove has emerged as San Diego’s ace after a dominant April. Both pitchers thrive in front of their home crowds, adding another layer of intrigue to this matchup.

Projected Lineups

Based on recent performance and starting lineups from the past two games, here are the projected lineups for both teams.

Key matchups to watch:

• Woodson vs. Tatis Jr. – The Padres’ MVP candidate will look to capitalize on Oakland’s bullpen, which has struggled with left-handed hitters (1.20 ERA against LHP in 2026).
• Musgrove vs. Olson/Chapman – Both power hitters have been Musgrove’s biggest challenges this season, combining for 10 HRs against him.
• Rendon vs. Padres’ bullpen – Anthony Rendon’s .350 batting average with runners in scoring position (.RISP) could decide this game if it goes late.

Tactical Focus & Coaching Decisions

The Athletics and Padres have both made notable adjustments in recent weeks, and their approaches to this game could determine the outcome.

Oakland Athletics

Manager Mark Kotsay has emphasized small-ball baseball and defensive positioning after struggling with long balls. Expect:

• Shift-heavy defense – Oakland will likely employ a six-man infield against Musgrove, with Laureano and Canha playing shallow to cut off hits to the right side.
• Intentional walks to move runners – With Musgrove’s velocity, Kotsay may look to work hitters deep into counts and advance baserunners via walks or hits.
• Woodson’s cutter usage – Woodson has increased his cutter to slider ratio to 60/40 this month, and the Athletics will look to exploit right-handed hitters with it.

San Diego Padres

Manager Jayce Tingler has leaned on pitch sequencing and defensive shifts to neutralize Oakland’s power hitters. Expect:

• Musgrove’s changeup – Musgrove has thrown his changeup 28% of the time in 2026, and it has a 30% whiff rate against left-handed hitters like Olson and Chapman.
• Tatis Jr. At the top of the order – The Padres will look to get quick outs in the first two innings to set up their bullpen for a potential late-game rally.
• Bullpen matchup awareness – Oakland’s bullpen has allowed a .280 batting average to left-handed hitters this season, so the Padres will target their lefties (like Oakland’s closer, who has a 4.12 ERA against LHP).

Injury & Availability Updates

Both teams have had roster fluctuations recently, with key players making comebacks or facing setbacks.

With Montas and Winker out, Oakland will rely on Laureano and Canha to provide speed and defense. The Padres, meanwhile, will look to Tatis and Grisham to cover for any defensive gaps.

Standings Implications

Winning this game would give one team sole possession of first place in their division. Here’s how the current standings look:

A win for Oakland would put them 5.5 games back of the Astros, while a Padres victory would tighten their race with the Dodgers to 5 games back. Both teams will look to avoid a sweep in this series to maintain momentum.

How to Watch & Follow

This game will be broadcast on FS1 (Fox Sports 1) in the U.S. And available internationally via MLB.tv. For Spanish-language coverage, tune into TUDN.

Follow live updates and commentary on:

• MLB.com (official scores, stats, and articles)
• City of Oakland (local event info)
• Visit Oakland (for fans attending the game)

For real-time updates, use the hashtag #ATHMLB or #Padres on social media.

Key Takeaways

• Pitching duel – Woodson and Musgrove are two of the best starters in baseball right now, and this could be a low-scoring affair.
• Bullpen matchup – Oakland’s struggles with left-handed hitters could be exploited by the Padres if the game goes late.
• Small-ball strategy – Both teams will look to manufacture runs rather than rely on home runs.
• Standings impact – The winner takes sole possession of first place in their division.
• Injury concerns – The absence of Montas and Winker for Oakland, and Gore for the Padres, could change the complexion of the game.

Next Steps

The Athletics and Padres will face off again on Monday, May 25, at 7:10 PM PDT (02:10 UTC) at Oakland Coliseum. The series concludes on Tuesday, May 26, with the final game at the same time.

For now, all eyes are on Sunday’s matchup. Will Oakland’s home crowd provide the spark they need, or will the Padres’ firepower be too much to handle?

Join the conversation in the comments below or share your predictions on social media using #ATHvsSDP.