




WEST SACRAMENTO >> As the Giants made their way into the first base dugout at Sutter Health Park on Friday evening, a remnant from the previous night remained hung on the wall near the helmet rack: The lineup card of the Triple-A Reno Aces, who had just played the Sacramento River Cats.
It was one of many reminders that the Giants and Athletics were playing a major league game in a minor league stadium — that the Battle of the Bay was relegated to the past.
“It felt a little different coming here today,” said manager Giants Bob Melvin, who managed the Oakland A’s from 2011-21. “At our park, it kind of felt the same. Certainly last year in Oakland, the rivalry is pretty significant. Once we get on the field, I don’t think it will feel any differently. But just driving up and seeing the signs and not being in Oakland, it felt a little different.”
“I feel like a lot of people wish (the A’s) were still in Oakland,” said Hayden Birdsong, who is scheduled to start on Sunday. “It’s a fun Oakland, Bay Area rivalry. Everybody wishes that, but I understand how it works. It’s business, and people have to make money. That’s what happens.”
This isn’t the first time that the Giants and A’s have met this season, the former sweeping the latter when they met in mid-May. That first series was at Oracle Park — a true big-league ballpark. This weekend’s three-game set, by contrast, will take place at a minor league stadium masquerading as a major league venue, one that’s also home to the Giants’ Triple-A affiliate.
Sutter Health Park cannot replicate the feel and vibe of the Oakland Coliseum, but several Giants were impressed with the improved amenities to accomodate the Athletics, as well as a playing surface that’s held up despite hosting the A’s and River Cats.
“It looked different when we came here for the scrimmage at the beginning of the season,” said starter Landen Roupp, who pitched in three games for the River Cats at Sutter Health Park last season. “I don’t know if it’s the new batter’s eye. The bullpens are obviously different. I can’t put my finger on it. It just feels different. ... It really feels like a big-league spring training field.”
Said infielder Tyler Fitzgerald, who has played 126 games with the River Cats: “I was here last week and the infield plays pretty nice. They’ve done a lot of renovation with that. The scoreboard’s nice. There’s a couple key upgrades that I think have helped a lot.”
While most of San Francisco’s active roster has spent time with the River Cats, most Giants found it difficult to escape the oddity of the ordeal.
“It’s kind of crazy,” Roupp said. “Everything’s kind of switched around. Even though I’ve been here, we were in the (River Cats) clubhouse. So, having to walk out and walk around and get to everything is pretty crazy.”
Those who have played at Sutter Health Park are plenty familiar with the ballpark’s reputation for favoring offense, especially compared to the pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum. For the Athletics’ pitchers, the offensive environment has made for pretty stark home/road splits.
Luis Severino, who signed the richest contract in franchise history this offseason, publicly bashed the experience of pitching at Sutter Health Field, telling reporters it “feels like a spring training kind of game every time I pitch.” On the road, Severino has a 3.04 ERA. At home, Severino’s ERA balloons to 6.79.
JP Sears, who started the first game of the series, has a 4.14 ERA over 10 starts on the road but a 6.68 ERA at home entering Friday. For Jeffrey Springs, who is not scheduled to start this series, the story is the same: 4.73 ERA at home, 3.61 ERA on the road.