A’s Sean Manaea ready to ‘get on the gas pedal’ in exhibition vs. Giants - San Francisco Chronicle

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Sean Manaea said it has been “a lot of fun” getting new perspective on the A’s hitters by facing them in training camp games. He has particularly enjoyed his matchups with Chad Pinder.

“I feel like every time it’s gone to a 3-2 count or something like that,” Manaea said. “And then there’s a couple of guys that tagged me pretty hard, so I don’t want to talk about that.”

The left-hander also sounds ready to face another team’s hitters, which he will do in starting the A’s exhibition game against the Giants on Monday evening at the Coliseum.

“Once it’s a different team and they’ve got a different jersey on, it’s a little more intense,” Manaea said. “Just looking forward to that.”

Monday will be the final tuneup for Manaea, who’s set to follow Opening Night starter Frankie Montas in the first series against the Angels. Manager Bob Melvin said Manaea will be targeted for about four innings against the Giants and then 75 to 85 pitches in his first start.

“He’s been throwing quite a bit,” Melvin said. “I think he’s progressed nicely.”

Manaea said his focus Monday will be on “trying to fine-tune that intensity” and “being able to get on the gas pedal.” He won’t have the benefit of a crowd, with fans barred from games amid a pandemic, but said he’s enjoying the fan cutouts the A’s have placed in the stands.

“I’m really hoping we can get the whole Coliseum filled,” Manaea said. “That’d be really cool.”

After initially saying he planned to wear a mask during at least one start, Manaea confirmed Saturday that he changed his mind because “the mask itself, it’s kind of hard breathing. … Sometime I might try it, but for right now, I’m going to probably just let it be.”

Melvin did not name a lineup for Monday’s game but said seven spots will be regulars with the exceptions at second base and left field, two positions where the A’s figure to platoon. The Giants plan to start right-hander Kevin Gausman, which could mean left-handed hitters Tony Kemp at second base and Robbie Grossman in left field.

Matt Kawahara and Susan Slusser are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers.

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A’s Sean Manaea ready to ‘get on the gas pedal’ in exhibition vs. Giants - San Francisco Chronicle
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