7/21 Gamethread: Giants vs. A’s

The San Francisco Giants opened up the preseason in style, beating the Oakland A’s 6-2 behind a monstrous game from Austin Slater. Even though it was just an exhibition game, it was highly memorable, as at least 10 members of the organization took a knee during the national anthem, and Alyssa Nakken made MLB history when she took over as first base coach.

So today’s game may not be quite as eventful, but it is a chance for the Giants to go undefeated in the two-game exhibition season. Go for it, I say.

Exhibition game #2

Who: San Francisco Giants vs. Oakland A’s
Where: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California
When: 6:45 p.m. PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area (available online through fuboTV, or free on MLB.TV)
Radio: KNBR 680 AM/104.5 FM

Lineups

Not surprisingly, the Giants are opting for a lineup that’s a bit different than the one they trotted out on Monday. Part of that is because the Giants want to get action for as many players as possible in their 18 innings of exhibitioning.

And part of it is because, a day after going up against left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea, the Giants are now facing a right-hander in Mike Fiers.

We know the Giants are going to platoon like crazy this year — that was evident before rosters expanded to 30. On Monday, eight of the Giants nine batters could hit from the right side. On Tuesday, seven of their nine batters can hit from the left.

The Giants were also kind enough to let us know who we can expect to see enter the game in later innings.

1. CF — Mike Yastrzemski (L)
2. 3B — Wilmer Flores (R)
3. 1B — Joe McCarthy (L)
4. LF — Hunter Pence (R)
5. RF — Alex Dickerson (L)
6. DH — Pablo Sandoval (S)
7. SS — Brandon Crawford (L)
8. C — Tyler Heineman (S)
9. 2B — Yolmer Sánchez (S)
   RHP — Tyler Rogers

Here’s what the A’s are bringing to Oracle:

1. SS — Marcus Semien (R)
2. CF — Ramón Laureano (R)
3. 3B — Matt Chapman (R)
4. 1B — Matt Olson (L)
5. DH — Khris Davis (R)
6. LF — Mark Canha (R)
7. RF — Stephen Piscotty (R)
8. 2B — Chad Pinder (R)
9. C — Austin Allen (L)
   RHP — Mike Fiers

Notes

History continues: On Monday, Nakken made history when she cook over for Richardson as first base coach late in the game. On Tuesday she’ll start the game there. The two have been splitting duties throughout camp.

Patriotism: I wrote a post Tuesday afternoon about the Giants who opted to kneel on Monday, and their statements on why they chose to do so. Prior to Tuesday’s game, manager Gabe Kapler addressed criticism from Donald Trump regarding athletes kneeling, saying he sees “nothing more patriotic than peaceful protest.”

Enjoy the baseball, everyone.