This article is part of our Dream11 Fantasy Baseball series.
Oakland Athletics (13-6) at San Francisco Giants (8-12)
Friday, August 14th, 9:45 PM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Frankie Montas (2-1, 1.57 ERA) vs RHP Johnny Cueto (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
Game Preview
The Athletics have been one of the best teams in the American League this season and their record backs that up, as they're leading the AL West with a 13-6 record that is also among the best in the entire American League. As for the Giants, they are 8-12 this season and, even though they've been playing well overall, they seem to be one step or two behind the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers and even the surprising Colorado Rockies, making their playoff chances slim at the moment. The Athletics will trust Frankie Montas to earn another win, and the star right-hander is coming off a week in which he earned the AL Player Of The Week Award after going 2-0 with 14 strikeouts in 14 innings. The Giants will counter with veteran Johnny Cueto, who has had good results against the Athletics – 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA.
Injuries
Oakland Athletics
A.J. Puk - 10-Day IL - Shoulder
8/10 11:26 AM EST - Puk (shoulder) is now playing catch from up to 90 feet at the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose, the Associated Press reports. The left-hander continues to make steady progress, as he was maxing out at 75 feet a few days ago. However, despite the encouraging report Sunday, manager Bob Melvin
Oakland Athletics (13-6) at San Francisco Giants (8-12)
Friday, August 14th, 9:45 PM EDT
Projected Starters
RHP Frankie Montas (2-1, 1.57 ERA) vs RHP Johnny Cueto (1-0, 5.40 ERA)
Game Preview
The Athletics have been one of the best teams in the American League this season and their record backs that up, as they're leading the AL West with a 13-6 record that is also among the best in the entire American League. As for the Giants, they are 8-12 this season and, even though they've been playing well overall, they seem to be one step or two behind the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Dodgers and even the surprising Colorado Rockies, making their playoff chances slim at the moment. The Athletics will trust Frankie Montas to earn another win, and the star right-hander is coming off a week in which he earned the AL Player Of The Week Award after going 2-0 with 14 strikeouts in 14 innings. The Giants will counter with veteran Johnny Cueto, who has had good results against the Athletics – 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA.
Injuries
Oakland Athletics
A.J. Puk - 10-Day IL - Shoulder
8/10 11:26 AM EST - Puk (shoulder) is now playing catch from up to 90 feet at the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose, the Associated Press reports. The left-hander continues to make steady progress, as he was maxing out at 75 feet a few days ago. However, despite the encouraging report Sunday, manager Bob Melvin noted that it's still "going to be a while before he [Puk] gets on the mound."
Jordan Weems - 10-Day IL - Lat
8/10 11:30 AM EST - Weems (lat) is getting closer to throwing to hitters at the Athletics' alternate training site in San Jose, the Associated Press reports. Weems went on the injured list Tuesday, but he's apparently making steady progress. Manager Bob Melvin confirmed as much Sunday, saying "I know everything's progressing well" when asked about the hard-throwing reliever. Weems was an early success story for the Athletics after finally making the majors this season, posting a 3.60 ERA and 5:1 K:BB across five innings over two appearances before his injury.
San Francisco Giants
Tyler Beede - 60-Day IL - Elbow
6/29 12:51 PM EST - The Giants placed Beede (elbow) on the 60-day injured list Sunday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. The transaction is merely procedural, as Beede has already been ruled out for the 2020 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in March. His move to the 60-day IL opens up an extra spot on the 40-man roster for the Giants.
Sam Coonrod - 10-Day IL - Lat
8/4 1:41 PM EST - Coonrod (lat) remains in physical therapy and is set to be re-evaluated at the end of the week, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Coonrod landed on the 10-day injured list Friday but still hasn't resumed throwing. The team hopes that he'll be able to begin a throwing program over the weekend if his evaluation at the end of the week goes well. It's still unclear when the right-hander could return to action. Coonrod tossed 3.2 innings over four appearances to begin the season, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two.
Aramis Garcia - 60-Day IL - Hip
6/22 9:36 PM EST - Garcia (hip) could be ready to return by mid-to-late August, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Garcia underwent hip surgery in February that carried a 6-to-8 month recovery timeline, and he appears to be on track in his recovery. The 27-year-old could be available for a good portion of the Giants' games once play resumes, although it's unclear how much playing time he could get with Buster Posey and Tyler Heineman in the fold. Garcia appeared in just 18 major-league games last season, hitting .143/.217/.310 with five RBI and 21 strikeouts.
Jordan Humphreys - Out - Personal
8/9 11:52 AM EST - Humphreys was placed on the restricted list Sunday. The 24-year-old was acquired from the Mets in exchange for Billy Hamilton last weekend, but he'll move to the restricted list before appearing for the team. It's unclear when Humphreys is expected to return to action.
Reyes Moronta - 60-Day IL - Shoulder
8/7 11:32 AM EST - Moronta (shoulder) reported to the Giants' alternate training site Friday, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. The 27-year-old will continue his rehab at the alternate training site as he returns from surgery to address a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Moronta previously indicated he could be back by late August, as he returned to throwing off a mound in June.
Buster Posey - Out - Opt Out
7/23 2:01 PM EST - The Giants placed Posey on the restricted list July 10. The transaction is just a procedural one after Posey announced that same day that he would sit out the 2020 season, citing concerns about how playing amid a pandemic could jeopardize the health of his newborn twins. The Giants are carrying two catchers (Tyler Heineman and Rob Brantly) on the Opening Day roster, but it's unclear if either of the two will act as the clear-cut No. 1 option behind the plate.
Jeff Samardzija - 10-Day IL - Shoulder
8/12 1:20 PM EST - Samardzija (shoulder) will be reevaluated when the Giants return from their road trip, which ends Wednesday, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. Samardzija is still without a timetable for his return, but the outlook doesn't appear to be particularly good. Following an MRI on Saturday, he's been diagnosed with both inflammation and an impingement in his right rotator cuff. Trevor Cahill has stepped into the rotation in his absence.
Pablo Sandoval - Day-To-Day - Personal
8/12 11:10 AM EST - Sandoval (personal) will remain on the bench Wednesday against the Astros, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. "Family concerns" were cited as the reason for Sandoval's absence from Tuesday's lineup, though he was able to make an appearance off the bench. He'll sit for the third straight contest Wednesday, with Hunter Pence starting in the designated hitter spot.
Austin Slater - Day-To-Day - Elbow
8/12 8:28 PM EST - Slater was unavailable for Wednesday's game against the Astros due to right elbow soreness, Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic reports. The 27-year-old was included in the Giants' original lineup Wednesday, but he was a late scratch because of the injury. Slater will have Thursday's scheduled off day to recover before potentially missing any additional games.
Drew Smyly - 10-Day IL - Finger
8/4 1:18 PM EST - Smyly (finger) won't throw for 7-to-10 days as he continues physical therapy, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Smyly was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday with a strained left finger, and Tuesday's update indicates that he won't return after the minimum amount of time. The southpaw will be re-evaluated once the team returns to San Francisco late next week, after which a better timetable for his return could be established. Smyly made three appearances (two starts) to begin the season, allowing three runs on seven hits with an 11:4 K:BB over 8.1 innings. Tyler Anderson, Conner Menez and Trevor Cahill (finger) are candidates to fill Smyly's role in the rotation while he's sidelined.
Donovan Solano - Day-To-Day - Abdomen
8/12 11:07 AM EST - Solano (abdomen) will remain on the bench Wednesday against the Astros, Maria I. Guardado of MLB.com reports. Solano sat out Tuesday's game with abdominal soreness and will sit for at least one more contest. With an off day Thursday, it's possible he's able to return Friday against Oakland. Mauricio Dubon will again play second base Wednesday.
San Francisco Giants Expected Lineup
SP - Johnny Cueto
3. Brandon Belt
Oakland Athletics Expected Lineup
SP - Frankie Montas
3. Matt Olson
4. Matt Chapman
5. Mark Canha
8. Sean Murphy
9. Tony Kemp
Top Picks From Each Team
Mike Yastrzemski, Giants: Yastrzemski has been the best player on the Giants roster by a wide margin, and he is enjoying a strong start to the season with a .314 average, a 448 on-base percentage and a stellar 1.077 OPS. As if that wasn't enough, the talented outfielder also has four home runs and 12 RBI in 70 at-bats.
Matt Chapman, Athletics: Chapman has gone 1-for-3 in his career against Johnny Cueto, and he is seeing the ball well enough to believe he can improve those numbers. Chapman might only be hitting .269, but he got off to a slow start this season and is definitively trending in the right direction. He has racked up six homers and 15 RBI while posting a .920 OPS in 78 at-bats so far.
Captaincy Options
Dream11 Team
P – Frankie Montas
C – Tyler Heineman
IF – Matt Chapman
IF – Pablo Sandoval
IF – Wilmer Flores
OF – Mike Yastrzemski
OF – Ramon Laureano (VC)
OF – Robbie Grossman
OF – Austin Slater
