In a game that has the potential for a lot of runs, Ivan Nova (9-6, 4.68 ERA) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (61-56) are in San Francisco to take on Matt Cain (4-7, 5.47 ERA) and the Giants (66-53). This is the last of a three-game series at AT&T Park. The Pirates won the last game 4-3, and Pittsburgh leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 3:45 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Aug. 17 and can be seen on CSBA and RTPT.
Cain pitched 4.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering five runs, striking out seven and walking one in a 5-2 defeat to the Orioles. Hunter Pence (.273, 33 Rs, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one RBI. Nova went 5.1 innings, surrendering one run and striking out two in a 5-1 win over the Dodgers in his most recent start. Starling Marte (.316, 65 Rs, 7 HRs, 40 RBIs, 41 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
San Francisco is a -125 favorite against Pittsburgh and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at eight runs. The Giants have recorded an overall money line of +34 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 48-28. The Giants are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with a phenomenal 8.9 per game. San Francisco strikes out the least of any team in the NL, with only 6.9 per game. Crossing over to the pitching staff, the Giants are the fifth-best team in the league at limiting hits and walks to their opponents, recording a WHIP of 1.227 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Pittsburgh has a 27-26 record and an overall money line of +227. They played solid baseball as the underdog over their last 10 games with a 3-1 record and a 7-3 record SU.
The Giants have a 42-37 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Nova takes the mound. Cain (RHP) will be on the hill against the Pirates, who have a 42-48 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF, O/U – Over
Notes
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games.
San Francisco is 1-4 SU in its last 5 games at home.
San Francisco is 4-9 SU in its last 13 games when playing Pittsburgh.
San Francisco is 0-5 SU in its last 5 games when playing at home against Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh recorded at least two errors for the 14th time this season.
The Giants managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Pirates who are coming in with a 21-13 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
It looks like the Pirates have a slight leg up on the Giants, as the Pirates have won their last three games while the Giants have lost their last three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Giants are 47-12. The Pirates have a 39-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 18th in runs, San Francisco has earned 528 this season. Pittsburgh ranks 14th with 535 runs.
Ranking ninth, Pittsburgh is in the top 10 of the league in walks, notching 386 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top five at fourth with 439.
When the Giants hit at least one home run, they are 42-25, well-matched with the Pirates who are 43-25 when hitting one or more homers.
