The San Diego Padres are set to face off against the Oakland Athletics in a highly anticipated three-game series, kicking off on Monday, April 7, 2025, at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento, California. The game is scheduled for a 10:05 p.m. ET start, and fans can catch the action on NBCS-CA and SDPA.
The Padres, currently the favorites at -150, come into this matchup with an impressive 8-2 record, having just secured a narrow 8-7 victory over the Chicago Cubs. In that game, rookie sensation Jackson Merrill continued to shine, going 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBIs. The Padres have shown their offensive prowess early this season, ranking third in the league in batting average and ninth in OPS.
On the other side, the Athletics are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 12-5 loss to the Colorado Rockies, where they struggled to contain the Rockies’ offense. Oakland's record stands at 4-6, and they are underdogs in this matchup. Tyler Soderstrom has been a bright spot for the Athletics, leading the team with a .359 batting average, four home runs, and eight RBIs.
For this game, the starting pitchers will be Michael King for the Padres and Luis Severino for the Athletics. King, who has a record of 1-0 with a 3.53 ERA, is coming off a strong performance where he recorded 11 strikeouts in his previous outing against the Cleveland Guardians. Severino, still seeking his first win of the season, has a 3.75 ERA and will look to improve upon his early-season struggles.
As the Padres prepare for this game, they will rely heavily on their key players. Fernando Tatis Jr. is batting .368 and continues to find ways to get on base, while Manny Machado has been consistent, hitting .316 over his last five games. Luis Arraez has also been on fire, boasting a .429 batting average in his recent appearances.
In terms of betting, the over/under for this game is set at 8.5 runs. Recent trends suggest that the Padres have been strong against the spread, holding an 8-2 record ATS this season. They are also 7-3 against the run line, demonstrating their ability to cover in tight games.
For the Athletics, they have struggled against stronger teams, with a 39-101 record against the top 10 scoring offenses since last season. Their recent loss to the Rockies highlighted some weaknesses that they will need to address if they hope to compete with the Padres.
Key player prop bets for this matchup include Fernando Tatis Jr. and Jackson Merrill for the Padres, both of whom have home run prop bets set at over 0.5 with attractive odds. For the Athletics, Tyler Soderstrom is also a name to watch, as he has been a consistent contributor at the plate.
The Padres' pitching staff has been impressive as well, allowing an average exit velocity of just 87.9 MPH, the best in MLB last season. This season, they continue to excel, ranking second in bullpen ERA at 1.66. In contrast, the Athletics have struggled with their bullpen, ranking 27th in the league with a 6.40 ERA.
As the game approaches, the excitement is palpable. Padres fans are hopeful that their team can maintain their winning momentum, while the Athletics are eager to turn their season around. With both teams showcasing talented rosters and compelling storylines, this game promises to be an entertaining night of baseball.
In summary, the Padres are looking to extend their strong start against an Athletics team that is desperate for a turnaround. With pivotal players on both sides and a competitive atmosphere at Sutter Health Park, fans can expect a thrilling matchup as the two teams clash on the diamond.
