San Francisco at Oakland

A tough situational stretch begins for the defending champs. They play 14 of the next 18 on the road, and against excellent competition. San Francisco is just 9-13 on the road and will play against contenders such as Oakland, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Atlanta. With starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (hand) out for the next four-to-six weeks, they are bringing up a No. 5 starter, all of which will put more pressure and innings on the pen. And despite a nice home stand, the Giants are just 4-4 the last eight games. The Giants are 14-31 in their last 45 interleague road games vs. a right-handed starter and face righty Dan Straily, who doesn't walk anyone (12 walks and 32 strikeouts in 33 innings), and they've never faced him before. Straily has also allowed fewer hits than innings pitched. The Athletics are 20-6 in their last 26 home games vs. a team with a losing road record and 16-5 following a road trip of seven or more days. San Francisco lefty Madison Bumgarner has a 6.00 ERA against Oakland, and the Athletics are 16-6 in their last 22 interleague home games vs. a left-handed starter. Play the Oakland A's.