It’s that time again folks; it’s time for another installment of the Bay Bridge series. The San Francisco Giants got the best of the Oakland Athletics during their last meeting in end of May at AT&T, but the A’s will be looking to return the favor at the Coliseum starting Friday night.
The A’s will start the series with the young righty Graham Godfrey (0-0 10.38 ERA), making only his second start in the Green & Yellow. He gave up five runs in four and 1/3 innings in his first start against the White Sox June 10, and will have quite the opposition this evening in two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum (5-5 3.41 ERA).
It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Lincecum lately though. In his past three starts Timmy is sporting a 9.39 ERA while allowing 15 runs in 15 1/3 innings. Batters are also hitting .349 off him during that span, but if history tells us anything, it’s that Timmy loves to face the A’s. In six career starts he is 5-0 with a 1.17 ERA against Oakland, something Bob Melvin and his squad will look to change.
Oakland was really struggling for the last few weeks, going 1-13 and in desperate need of some offense. But a visit from the Royals in their last series may have been the start of their turnaround, putting up 8 runs against them Thursday. The Giants haven’t exactly been smacking the leather off the ball either, but have still found a way to win and stay atop the NL West.
First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area, CSN California, KNBR 680 AM and Sports Radio 95.7 FM.
We'll be here all weekend long following the 2011 Bay Bridge Series. For more on the Giants and the A’s, head over to McCovey Chronicles and Athletics Nation to get in on the action.