The A’s are returning to the Bay Area to face their NL rival, the San Francisco Giants (19-19).  The Giants are 5-5 in their last 10 games and their team ERA of 3.33 currently ranks 6th in the league.

Friday 7:15 PM PST: (RHP) Jarrod Parker (1-1) Vs (LHP) Barry Zito (2-1)

• Jarrod Parker is coming off his shortest start of the season.  He only last 5.2 innings against the Detroit Tigers, allowed 2 runs on 6 hits, walked 4 and struck out 5.  He has now allowed 12 walks over 25.2 innings.
• Although his 2-1 record does not reflect it, Barry Zito has been pretty good so far this season.  He lasted 6 innings in his last start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he allowed 5 hits, 3 runs, walked 3 and struck out 4.  In 5 starts against the A’s he has a 1-4 record with a 7.24 ERA and 5.3 SO/9 rate.

Saturday 1:05 PM PST: (RHP) Tyson Ross (2-3) Vs (RHP) Ryan Vogelsong (1-2)

• Tyson Ross recorded his 2nd win of the season in his last start against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.  Ross threw 6 shut out innings against the Angels while allowing 5 hits, walking 1 and striking out 2.
• Much like Barry Zito, Ryan Vogelsong’s record does not show how well he has pitched this season.  He was sidelined with an injury in the beginning of the season, but has been pretty consistent since his return.  In his last start against the Colorado Rockies he pitched 7 innings, allowed 3 hits, 1 run, walked 5 and struck out 3.  He has only allowed 3 runs in his last 3 games.

Sunday 1:05 PM PST: (RHP) Bartolo Colon (3-4) Vs (RHP) Tim Lincecum (2-3)

• Bartolo Colon was just okay in his last start against the Angels he allowed 4 runs on 12 hits in 6.2 innings, he also struck out 3 and walked none.
• Tim Lincecum allowed 4 runs in his last start against the Colorado Rockies.  He pitched 7 innings, walked 3 and struck out 7.  In his 7 starts against the A’s he has a 5-1 record, a 1.38 ERA and 3.18 SO/BB ratio.

Keys to Success:  

Since eliminating interleague play is out of the question, the A’s are going to have to score runs to beat the Giants.  That sounds like the obvious statement, but the A’s have a tendency to struggle against Giants pitching especially when they play in AT&T Park.

The A’s have not had the best luck in San Francisco in the last few years, having been swept there the past 3 seasons.  Taking the series would be nice, but right now I just hope it’s not another sweep.

For more on the San Francisco Giants please visit Third Street Kings.