This game could be low scoring as Madison Bumgarner (12-6, 3.28 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (59-52) meet Scott Kazmir (6-6, 2.08 ERA) and the Houston Astros (61-52) in the first of a two-game series at AT&T Park. The game starts at 7:15 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Aug. 11 and will air on CSBy and RTSW.
In his last start, Bumgarner pitched 7.1 innings, allowing one run and striking out nine in a 6-1 victory over the Braves. Buster Posey (.332, 57 Rs, 16 HRs, 75 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 Sunday. The Astros were unsuccessful to the Rangers 4-3 the last time Kazmir pitched. He went 5.2 innings, giving up one, striking out five and walking two. George Springer (.264, 43 Rs, 13 HRs, 29 RBIs, 14 SBs) went 1 for 2 Sunday with one run and one stolen base.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Giants have a 10-5 record SU against the American League. Don’t expect the San Francisco hitters to swing wildly in their own ballpark. They average an NL-low 6.5 strikeouts per home game. San Francisco’s pitching staff will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent struggles. The Giants have given up an average of 5.0 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 3.9 runs per game. The Giants don’t give up many hits to opposing batters at AT&T Park, ranking third in the NL with only 8.3 hits allowed per home game.
When playing Teams in the National League, the Astros have a 10-2 record SU. When it comes to scoring runs, the Astros have performed much better than normal against teams from the NL. During those games, they averaged six runs per game, above their 4.4 season average. The Astros are known for their power, smashing a league-leading 156 home runs. Houston is a terror on the base paths, ranking third in the MLB with 85 stolen bases. Shifting to the pitching staff, they have the third-lowest road ERA in the AL at 3.78. They have a WHIP of 1.20, third best in the MLB.
This game will feature Kazmir (LHP) on the mound against the Giants, who have a 14-10 record when they take on a left-handed starter. The left-handed Bumgarner will take the mound against the Astros, who have a 22-19 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – Hou
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, San Francisco is 25-17, while Houston is 23-19.
The Astros managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Giants who are heading in with a 19-12 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Astros are 44-13. The Giants have a 51-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking seventh in runs, San Francisco has earned 485 this season. Houston ranks third with 499 runs.
Ranking 20th, San Francisco is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 301 this season. Houston ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 344.
When the Giants hit at least one home run, they are 40-23, well-matched with the Astros who are 50-32 when hitting one or more homers.
