Dan Haren (6-5, 3.38 ERA) and the Miami Marlins (32-46) go up against Chris Heston (8-5, 3.73 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (42-36) in the second of a three-game series at Marlins Park. The Marlins won the last game 5-3 and Miami leads the series 1-0. The game gets underway at 7:10 p.m. ET on Wednesday, Jul. 1 and will air on CSN-BAY and FSN-FL.
Haren has a 2.92 ERA and a 7-6 record in his career against the Giants, but faces a strong San Francisco offense that’s hitting .269 on the year. Dee Gordon (.351, 40 Rs, 1 HR, 20 RBIs, 26 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and three RBIs. The Giants were victorious over the Padres 13-8 the last time Heston pitched. He went 7.0 innings, allowing two runs, striking out six and walking one. Buster Posey (.303, 41 Rs, 12 HRs, 54 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Giants, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is seven runs. Miami has averaged 2.0 runs per game over the last 10 games, lower than its season average of 3.6.
The Giants are the top-ranked scoring offense in the NL when playing on the road, averaging five runs per game so far. The top hitting team in the NL are the Giants, who average 9.3 hits per game. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the San Francisco batters, who rank second in the NL with 6.8 strikeouts per game. Switching gears to San Francisco’s pitching staff, they allow just 2.7 hits per road game, good for fourth in the NL.
The Marlins are 3-2 against the Giants this season. This game will feature Heston (RHP) on the mound against the Marlins, who have a 22-37 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Giants will be the right-hander Haren. They sport a 31-29 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF, O/U – Over
Notes
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 13-9 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Marlins are 25-12. The Giants have a 37-5 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 26th, Miami is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 285 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 332.
Ranking 25th, Miami is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 179 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top half at 15th with 226.
When the Marlins hit at least one home run, they are 21-26. When the Giants hit at least one homer, they have a 29-13 record.
