Athletics vs San Diego Padres Prediction 5/22/2026 Today’s MLB Picks
Chris Ruffolo
May 21, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers (23) runs after hitting a double during the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Liang-Imagn Images
MATCHUP
Oakland Athletics
San Diego Padres
Team Records
26-24
29-20
Where
Petco Park, San Diego, California
When
Friday, May 22, 2026
Time
09:40 PM EDT
TV
MLB.TV
The Athletics and the San Diego Padres meet Friday in MLB action from Petco Park. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s an Athletics vs. San Diego Padres prediction.
Starting Pitching Matchup
The Athletics will send out Jeffrey Springs for the start here and Springs is 3-4 with a 3.93 ERA and 47 strikeouts this season. This will be Springs’ second career start against the Padres. Walker Buehler will start here for the Padres and is 3-2 with a 5.01 ERA and 37 strikeouts this season. This will be Buehler’s second career start against the Athletics.
Athletics Recap
The Athletics come into this game looking to add on to their 3-2 win over the Angels from Thursday to improve to 26-24 this season. After this series, the Athletics will head home for a series against the Seattle Mariners.
Athletics Win 3 In A Row
Shea Langeliers has 59 hits with 11 doubles, 12 home runs and 27 RBIs while Tyler Soderstrom’s added 35 hits with 14 doubles, a triple, 5 home runs and 23 RBIs. Brent Rooker has 27 hits with 7 home runs and 24 RBIs while Max Muncy has also chipped in 22 hits with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs and 7 RBIs this season. Jacob Wilson also has 47 hits with 8 doubles, 3 home runs and 19 RBIs and Nick Kurtz has 49 hits with 10 doubles, 8 home runs and 36 RBIs this season.
San Diego Padres Recap
The San Diego Padres come into this game looking to bounce back from a 4-0 loss at the hands of the Los Angeles Dodgers last time out to sit at 29-20 this season. After this series, the Padres will head home for a series against the Phillies.
Padres Drop Back-To-Back Games
Jackson Merrill has 36 hits with 9 doubles, 4 home runs and 19 RBIs while Ramon Laureano has 34 hits with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs and 19 RBIs as well on the year. Fernando Tatis Jr. has 43 hits with 5 doubles and 15 RBIs and Xander Bogaerts has 43 hits with 3 doubles, 7 home runs and 23 RBIs. Manny Machado also has 30 hits with 5 doubles, 7 home runs and 22 RBIs as well on the year.
Athletics @ San Diego Padres Betting Trends: May 22, 2026
Probable Starting Pitcher: Walker Buehler Record this season: 3-2 ERA: 5.01
Home Record: 1-1
Last 5 against Athletics: 0-0
Why the San Diego Padres will win
The Athletics have lost 11 of their last 12 road games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
The Padres have won eight of their last nine games against the Athletics.
The Padres have covered the run line in each of their last five games against the Athletics following a loss.
The Athletics have failed to cover the run line in six of their last seven games against NL West opponents following a win.
The Padres have led after 5 innings in 10 of their last 11 games against the Athletics.
The Athletics have lost the first inning in three of their last four games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
The Padres have led after 3 innings in four of their last five games.
Probable Starting Pitcher: Jeffrey Springs Record this season: 3-4 ERA: 3.93
Road Record: 1-1
Last 5 against Padres: 1-1
Why the Athletics will win
The Padres have lost each of their last eight Friday night games as favorites against American League opponents.
The Athletics have won five of their last six games as underdogs.
The Athletics have covered the run line in each of their last 11 games as road underdogs following a road win.
The Padres have failed to cover the run line in each of their last 10 Friday home games against American League opponents.
The Athletics have led after 3 innings in five of their last six road games against National League opponents.
The Athletics have led after 5 innings in five of their last six road games against National League opponents.
Total Runs Facts
Each of the Padres’ last seven games as favorites have gone UNDER the total runs line.
Five of the Athletics’ last six night games against NL West opponents have gone UNDER the total runs line.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Padres’ last 10 night games against American League opponents.
The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of Jeffrey Springs’ last eight road appearances as a starter.
San Diego Padres Player Prop Facts
Gavin Sheets has hit a home run in each of his last two home appearances against the Athletics.
Fernando Tatis Jr. has recorded at least one hit in each of the Padres’ last 12 games against AL West opponents that held a winning record.
Fernando Tatis Jr. ranks T9th in the league in Steals (12) this season.
Athletics Player Prop Facts
Zack Gelof has hit a home run in three of the Athletics’ last four games against opponents that held a winning record.
Nick Kurtz has recorded at least one hit in each of the Athletics’ last seven games against opponents that held a winning record.
Nick Kurtz ranks 1st amongst qualified players for On Base Percentage (.438) this season.
Matchup/League Facts
The Padres rank 30th in the league for hits this season (354).
The Padres rank 30th in the league for batting average this season (.221).
The Athletics rank 5th in the league for hits this season (425).
The Athletics rank 5th in the league for batting average this season (.249).
Athletics vs. San Diego Padres Prediction
I’m on the Athletics in this one. I think this is going to be one of the better pitching matchups the Athletics have in this series. The Padres struggle against lefties, Springs has been far better on the road compared to his marks at home, and Walker Buehler feels like a ticking time bomb waiting to go off as he continues to get hit. I think the A’s get it done here so give me the Athletics.
