Jose Fernandez (0-0, 0.00 ERA) and Matt Cain (0-0, 0.00 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Miami Marlins (33-46) and the San Francisco Giants (42-37) at Marlins Park. The Marlins won the last game 6-5 and Miami leads the series 2-0. Action begins at 12:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, Jul. 2 and can be seen on CSN-BAY and MLB Network.
This is the first start for Fernandez this season. He pitched 51.2 innings last season, finishing 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, and 70 strikeoutsDee Gordon (.350, 41 Rs, 1 HR, 21 RBIs, 26 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run and one RBI. When pitching against the Marlins, Cain is 6-4 with a 3.20 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts. Matt Duffy (.300, 31 Rs, 8 HRs, 37 RBIs, 3 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run and one stolen base.
Miami is a -128 favorite against San Francisco and the Over/Under (O/U) for this game is sitting at seven runs. The Marlins have an overall money line of -1,395 and a record as the favorite of 16-18. Miami is unbeaten as the favorite and has a 3-7 SU record in its last ten outings. The Marlins have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 2.1 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 3.6 runs per game.
In the other locker room, San Francisco is coming in with an overall money line of +228 and an impressive record of 22-14 as the dog. Offensively, they average five runs per game on the road, which is the best in the NL. The Giants are tough outs for opponents, leading the NL with 9.3 hits per game. San Francisco is excellent at not striking out with just 6.9 per game, ranking second in the NL. When it comes to issuing walks on the road, the Giants have the fourth-fewest in the NL with an average of just 2.7 walks allowed per game.
The Marlins lead the season series, 4-2. The Marlins have a 23-37 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cain takes the mound. Fernandez (RHP) will be on the hill against the Giants, who have a 31-30 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF, O/U – Over
Notes
For the sixth time this season, the Marlins registered at least two errors in a game.
When the Marlins play into extra innings, they have a 3-1 record. The Giants are 3-2 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Giants managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Marlins who are heading in with a 14-9 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Giants are 3-23. The Marlins have a 5-30 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 23rd in home runs, San Francisco has hit 64 this season. Miami ranks 20th with 65 home runs.
Ranking first in hits, San Francisco has earned 9.28 per game this season. Miami ranks eighth with 8.64 hits.
Ranking 21st, Miami is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.685). San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at seventh with an OPS of .738.
The Giants are 21-24 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Marlins are 16-29 when they allow at least one homer.
