This game could be low scoring as Madison Bumgarner (11-7, 2.11 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (66-54) meet Jacob deGrom (7-5, 2.29 ERA) and the New York Mets (60-60) in the first of a four-game series at AT&T Park. The game gets underway at 10:15 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 18 and will air on CSBA and SNY.
In his last start, Bumgarner pitched 7.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out eight and walking three in a 6-2 victory over the Orioles. Angel Pagan (.297, 52 Rs, 8 HRs, 40 RBIs, 13 SBs) continued his strong season yesterday, going 3 for 4 with two runs. The Mets were also victorious the last time deGrom pitched. He pitched well, going 7.0 innings, allowing one run, striking out nine and walking one in a 3-2 victory over the Padres. Yoenis Cespedes (.289, 49 Rs, 22 HRs, 59 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday.
San Francisco is a -145 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is six runs. The Giants are in an interesting position this season. While they have a notable winning record in games where they’re the favorite (48-30), their overall money line (-220) is less impressive. They are 2-5 as the favorite over their last 10 games. Don’t expect the San Francisco hitters to swing wildly in their own ballpark. They average an NL-low 6.6 strikeouts per home game. Turning to the pitching and defensive side, teams routinely struggle to score runs against the Giants, who allow only 4.1 runs per game. The Giants are fifth in the league in WHIP at 1.227.
On the other side, the Mets have a record of 15-22 when they are the underdog and are -1,558 overall with the money line. Over the last 10 games, the team is winless as the underdog with a 0-2 record and 4-6 SU. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the New York pitchers. They allowed 5.7 runs per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 3.8.
In their previous three games this season, the Mets have a 2-1 record. The Giants will take on a right-hander (deGrom) in this game and have a 42-39 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The left-handed Bumgarner will take the mound against the Mets, who have a 14-17 record against lefty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF, O/U – Over
Notes
The Giants managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Mets who are coming in with a 24-17 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Giants are 12-36. The Mets have an 18-45 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 29th in home runs, San Francisco has hit 98 this season. New York ranks eighth with 156 home runs.
Ranking 15th, New York is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.91 per game. San Francisco ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.88.
Ranking 23rd, New York is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.713). San Francisco ranks in the bottom half at 20th with an OPS of .732.
The Mets are 26-43 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Giants are 29-43 when they allow at least one homer.
