Matt Cain (4-6, 5.16 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (65-49) go up against Dylan Bundy (5-3, 3.05 ERA) and the Baltimore Orioles (64-50) in the first of a three-game interleague series at AT&T Park. The game gets underway at 10:15 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 12 and will air on MAS2 and CSBA.
In his last start, Cain pitched 5.0 innings, giving up zero runs, striking out four and walking three in a 7-1 victory over the Nationals. Brandon Crawford (.277, 46 Rs, 11 HRs, 71 RBIs, 4 SBs) continued his strong season Wednesday, going 2 for 4 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. The Orioles were also victorious the last time Bundy pitched. He pitched well, going 6.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out nine and walking one in a 10-2 victory over the White Sox. Mark Trumbo (.262, 63 Rs, 32 HRs, 82 RBIs, 1 SB) has been hitting the ball well for the Orioles, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and five RBIs.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Giants have a 7-10 record SU against the American League. They have been very patient at the plate, ranking third in the NL with an average of 3.7 walks per game. San Francisco’s pitchers struggle against teams that play in the American League. The Giants have given up an average of 4.8 runs to opponents from the AL, well over their defense’s season average of 4.0. The Giants don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking fourth in the league with a 1.213 WHIP.
When playing Interleague opponents, the Orioles have a 6-4 record SU. Baltimore has stepped up their play against NL opponents, averaging an impressive 5.9 runs per game compared to their 4.7 runs per game season average. The Orioles are known for their power, smashing a league-leading 172 home runs. The last 10 games have really brought the best out of the Baltimore pitchers. They’ve allowed 3.1 runs per game during that span, which is lower than their season average of 4.3.
The Giants will take on a right-hander (Bundy) in this game and have a 41-35 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. The right-handed Cain will take the mound against the Orioles, who have a 47-36 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Baltimore is 30-18, while San Francisco is 23-17.
The Orioles 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 36-18 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Giants are 46-12. The Orioles have a 42-9 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 16th, San Francisco is in the bottom half of the league in runs, scoring 505 this season. Baltimore ranks in the top 10 at ninth with 534.
Ranking 20th, Baltimore is in the bottom half of the league in walks, notching 329 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top five at fourth with 417.
When the Giants hit at least one home run, they are 41-23, well-matched with the Orioles who are 52-32 when hitting one or more homers.
