Giants-A’s Four Game Bay Hopper Shifts To SF

The Athletics swept their leg of the four game bay tour, taking two wins over the Giants in Oakland. The odd  home-and-home split series now finishes the last two games in San Francisco.

History has proven that the A’s and Giants have home dominance over one another, with nine series since 1997 ending in ties, with the Oakland home series going to the A’s and San Francisco home games favoring the Giants.

So if history repeats itself, the Giant will gladly take their two wins to sweep their home field.

May 28, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics athletics catcher

(36) rounds the bases after hitting a two run home run in the second inning against the San Francisco at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Last night, rookie Mike Kickham made his MLB debut and pitched well initially, having a three up and three down first inning, but made an early exit in the 4th inning after giving up 4 runs.

It’ll be Lincecum’s day to try and halt the Swingin’ A’s and their winning streak.

He took the loss in his last start against the Rockies, not pitching exceptionally well but managed to go 7 innings, striking out 8 batters. Although, giving up 7 hits and 4 runs did him in and resulted in a 5-0 shut out win for Colorado.

Lincecum will go up against a shaky Tommy Milone for the the A’s. Milone has only won a single game in his last five starts although, he holds down his current ERA at a decent 3.80 and a 4-5 overall record compared to Timmy’s 3-5 record and a not so nice ERA of 4.75.

Here are the short two game home series pitching matchups:

Tommy Milone vs. Tim Lincecum (TONIGHT-7:05pm PT)

A.J. Griffin (5-3, 3.84 ERA) vs. Barry Zito (3-3, 4.13 ERA) (Thursday-12:45pm PT)

Notes:

Giants: Pagan day to day

Angel Pagan is listed as day to day due to lingering soreness in his left hamstring.

My key to the series for the Giants: Strike first

The Giants find themselves playing from behind way too often and although it can set up for dramatic comeback wins, it’s important to start putting runs up on the board first and establish an early lead.