San Francisco Giants Thairo Estrada is out flat on his back after being hit in the helmet by a Chicago Cubs pitcher Mark Leiter fastball that got up and away on Sat Jul 30, 2022. Estrada is expected to be off the IL this Sun Aug 7, 2022 at the Oakland Coliseum against the Oakland A’s (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Friday, August 5, 2022

The San Francisco Giants are enjoying a rare Friday night off, returning to action Saturday with a two-game interleague series with Bay Area rivals the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum.

Earlier this season, the Giants could have looked at this series as an easy two wins, but that scenario has shifted. San Francisco is 3-7 in its last 10 games and 3-12 since the All-Star break – the worst such record in the majors.

While the Giants were swept in a four-game series with the National League-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, the A’s took two of three from the fading Los Angeles Angels.

Coming into the weekend series, the Giants are 51-55, 22 games behind the first-place Dodgers. Oakland is 41-66, fifth place in the American League West. The A’s are 6-4 in their last 10 games.

Probable starters for Saturday’s game are left-hander Carlos Rodon (9-6, 3.00) against Oakland’s Adam Oller (1-4, 7.68). Sunday’s probables are Logan Webb (9-5, 3.20) for San Francisco against the Athletics’ Cole Irvin (6-8, 3.04).

Off the field, catcher Joey Bart is dealing with groin tightness, but not expected to go on the injured list. Shortstop Brandon Crawford (left knee inflammation) and outfielder Joc Pederson (concussion) are expected to leave the IL on Saturday. Meanwhile, infielder Thairo Estrada (concussion) may return off the IL on Sunday, and the Giants determined that third baseman Evan Longoria (strained right hamstring) will not need a rehab assignment. Longoria is not expected back until possibly next week.

The Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association announced Thursday that Wilmer Flores was selected as the Giants’ recipient of its Heart and Hustle Award. One player is selected for each team and the overall winner will be announced in November.