Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, MLB Picks, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 5/17/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, MLB Picks, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions 5/17/26

SAN FRANCISCO @ ATHLETICS (ATH -136, 9.5)

MLB ODDS, MLB PREDICTIONS, MLB PREVIEWS

COACH RICK MLB PREVIEWS

GIANTS @ ATHLETICS 5/16/26

The Bay Bridge Series continues tonight at Sutter Health Park, and the statistical landscape suggests a high-scoring affair with significant value in the player prop market. While the Athletics took the first game of the series 5-2, tonight's pitching matchup and recent offensive trends point toward a different narrative.

The Athletics enter tonight as favorites, and the data supports backing them to secure another victory. The primary driver here is the pitching matchup. Oakland sends veteran Luis Severino to the mound, who brings a wealth of experience and a solid track record against this Giants roster. Severino has held current Giants hitters to a .227 career batting average and a .298 wOBA over 101 plate appearances.

Conversely, the Giants are turning to Trevor McDonald. McDonald has struggled with consistency, allowing 9 hits in his only road start this season. Facing an Oakland lineup that has already shown it can produce in this environment, McDonald will likely find himself in trouble early.

EXPECT RUNS

While the total is set high at 10.0, the conditions are ripe for an offensive explosion. Trevor McDonald’s propensity for giving up hits (5.5 hits allowed average over his last two games) combined with the Giants' offense facing a familiar but beatable Severino suggests runs will be plentiful.

The Giants' lineup features several players with high hit rates recently, and Severino, while effective, has shown vulnerability to the long ball, surrendering a .330 slugging percentage to this active roster. With both bullpens likely to be involved early, the Over presents the best value for the game total.

BEST PLAYER PROPS TONIGHT

Nick Kurtz is arguably the hottest hitter in this matchup. Over his last 10 games, he has recorded at least one hit in 9 of them (90% hit rate). His performance against the Giants specifically is even more encouraging, as he went 1-for-1 in their most recent meeting in 2026.

Kurtz is currently averaging 1.4 hits per game over his last 10 outings. When playing as the visitor, he maintains a strong 70% hit rate. Given Trevor McDonald's struggles with allowing contact, Kurtz is a near-lock to find grass tonight. Take Kurtz Over 0.5 Hits. 

Willy Adames offers incredible value tonight. He has hit the Over 0.5 Hits prop in 7 of his last 10 games (70%). More importantly, he has a documented history of success against Luis Severino, batting .353 with a home run in 20 career plate appearances against him.

Adames is coming off a 2-hit performance against Oakland yesterday. His comfort level against Severino's pitching profile makes this -185 line a solid value.

Rafael Devers remains a cornerstone of the Giants' offense and has been remarkably consistent, hitting the Over on 0.5 hits in 8 of his last 10 games. While he has struggled historically against Severino (3-for-24), his recent form suggests he is seeing the ball well, averaging 1.2 hits per game over his last 10.

Devers has a 69.57% hit rate when playing on the road this season. At -198, you are getting a high-caliber hitter who is currently in a groove, facing a pitcher he is intimately familiar with.

If you want to double down on Kurtz, his HRR (Hits + Runs + RBIs) prop is highly attractive. He has cleared the 2.5 line in 80% of his last 10 games, averaging a massive 4.0 HRR per game in that span. In his lone game against the Giants this season, he exploded for 5.0 HRR. His ability to drive in runs (averaging 1.3 RBIs over his last 10) and score himself (60% run hit rate over last 10) makes this a comprehensive way to back his offensive impact.

Get free MLB Picks and MLB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 MLB schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert MLB handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the MLB betting community the best MLB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best MLB moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK: OVER 9.5

The Dodgers have the pitching advantage - both starting pitching and bullpen. Snell will find his groove after his first start. He is 2-2 with a 2.89 ERA in 5 career starts against the Angels. LA has been one of the worst teams in baseball over the last few weeks. The Angels are 1-5 in their last 6 games, but they have won 7 straight against the Dodgers. The Dodgers are not hitting well, but this is where they get back to reality. Jack Kochanowicz starts for the Angels and he is very inconsistent. He pitches well at home, but he has an xERA of 4.99, a 42% hard hit rate and he’s facing a lineup that is still top-5 in most hitting categories. With Snell up for the Dodgers, the price is right on the F5 run line.

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