Athletics vs San Diego Padres Picks and Prediction for Sunday, May 24, 2026
Use Code WWWC The Athletics visit the San Diego Padres at Petco Park on Sunday at 4:10 PM ET on MLB.TV. The Athletics are 26-25 and third in the AL West, while San Diego is 30-20 and second in the NL West. The Padres opened this weekend series with a 7-3 victory Friday night and have won three of their last five games overall. The Athletics had won three straight games before dropping the opener in San Diego. Grab more free MLB picks before Sunday’s first pitch.
Athletics Looking for Better Pitching Results
The Athletics struggled on the mound during Friday’s 7-3 loss after allowing seven runs on 11 hits. Despite the defeat, the Athletics had been playing strong baseball entering the series after winning three consecutive road games against the Angels. The club has also remained competitive away from home with a 16-13 road record this season.
The Athletics are hitting .249 with a .329 on-base percentage and .396 slugging percentage, producing 227 runs on 433 hits. Shea Langeliers has been outstanding with a .314 batting average, 12 home runs, and a .564 slugging percentage, while Nick Kurtz leads the team with 37 RBI and a .443 OBP. Carlos Cortes is batting .345 with a .534 slugging percentage, and Jacob Wilson owns a .292 average with 47 hits. The Athletics have totaled 54 home runs and continue drawing walks consistently with 202 free passes through 51 games.
Pitching remains the biggest concern for the Athletics entering this matchup. The staff carries a 4.33 ERA and 1.41 WHIP while allowing opponents to hit .252 against them. The Athletics have surrendered 64 home runs and issued 199 walks this season. The bullpen also struggled in Friday’s series opener after the Padres generated multiple late scoring chances.
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Injuries: Wei-En Lin, 7-Day IL, Max Muncy, 10-Day IL, Jacob Wilson, 10-Day IL, Brooks Kriske, 15-Day IL, Denzel Clarke, 10-Day IL
Padres Building Momentum at Home
San Diego opened this series with a 7-3 win Friday and has now won three of the last four games overall. The Padres continue playing well at Petco Park with a 15-12 home record and have received strong pitching performances throughout most of May. San Diego also remains one of the teams with a strong ERA in the National League entering Sunday.
The Padres are hitting .221 with a .293 on-base percentage and .369 slugging percentage, producing 207 runs on 361 hits. Gavin Sheets leads the lineup with nine home runs and a .522 slugging percentage, while Manny Machado has added eight home runs and 24 RBI. Miguel Andujar is batting .289 with a .500 slugging percentage, and Xander Bogaerts has contributed 43 hits with seven stolen bases. Fernando Tatis Jr. has also added 12 stolen bases and continues to create pressure on opposing pitchers.
San Diego’s pitching staff has delivered strong overall production this season. The Padres carry a 3.91 ERA and 1.25 WHIP while limiting opponents to a .234 batting average. San Diego has recorded 434 strikeouts through 50 games and continues receiving quality bullpen innings in close contests. The Padres staff has also allowed only 52 home runs this season.
Injuries: Jackson Merrill, Day-To-Day, Jake Cronenworth, 7-Day IL, Blake Hunt, 7-Day IL, Luis Campusano, 10-Day IL, Matt Waldron, 15-Day IL
Pitching Matchup
Athletics – Jacob Lopez
Lopez is 3-2 with a 6.14 ERA and 1.80 WHIP across 44.0 innings. The left-hander has allowed 49 hits, 30 walks, and 11 home runs while struggling badly with command during May.
San Diego Padres – Michael King
King is 4-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 1.06 WHIP over 58.1 innings. The right-hander has allowed only 38 hits with 59 strikeouts and just four home runs surrendered this season.
Athletics vs San Diego Padres Pick
- San Diego Padres
San Diego has the clear advantage because of the major edge in the starting pitching matchup. King has dominated opposing lineups recently and enters after throwing seven shutout innings against the Dodgers. The Athletics continue struggling on the mound, and Lopez has allowed 15 earned runs across his last 19.1 innings. The Padres are in a strong position to secure another home victory.
Athletics vs San Diego Padres Over/Under Pick
- Over
This matchup will cash over because the Athletics pitching staff continues allowing consistent traffic on the bases. Lopez owns a 1.80 WHIP and has already surrendered 11 home runs through 44 innings. San Diego scored seven runs Friday night, while the Athletics lineup has enough power through Langeliers and Kurtz to contribute offense late in the game.
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