Matt Moore (7-8, 3.99 ERA) and Ryan Vogelsong (1-2, 2.67 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the San Francisco Giants (66-51) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (59-56) at AT&T Park. Action begins at 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 15 and can be seen on CSBA and RTPT.
Moore pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out seven and walking five in a 2-0 defeat to the Marlins. Hunter Pence (.274, 33 Rs, 8 HRs, 38 RBIs) continued his strong play yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. Vogelsong went 6.0 innings, surrendering two runs (two unearned), striking out five and walking one in a 4-0 defeat to the Padres in his last outing. Starling Marte (.316, 63 Rs, 7 HRs, 39 RBIs, 40 SBs) has been successful at the plate, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs and one stolen base.
San Francisco is a -145 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 +309 and have shown high-level performance as a favorite this season with a record of 48-26. The Giants have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.2 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.4 runs per game. The Giants are one of the best in the NL in terms of hits with an impressive 8.8 per game. San Francisco strikes out the least of any team in the NL, with only 7.0 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 1.220 so far this season.
In games where it is the underdog, Pittsburgh has a 25-26 record and an overall money line of -51. The Pirates are an excellent base stealing team with 88 stolen bases, ranking fifth in the MLB.
The Giants lead the season series, 3-1. The Giants have a 42-36 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Vogelsong takes the mound. Moore (LHP) will be on the hill against the Pirates, who have a very good 16-8 record against left-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF, O/U – Over
Notes
The Giants are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Pirates have a 22-27 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Giants are 12-36. The Pirates have a 15-44 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling near the bottom of the league based on total home runs this season, San Francisco ranks 28th with 96 homers and Pittsburgh is 26th with 109.
Ranking sixth, Pittsburgh is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.75 per game. San Francisco ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.82.
San Francisco and Pittsburgh both rank in the bottom half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. San Francisco sits at 19th with an OPS of .731, and Pittsburgh ranks 16th with an OPS of .736.
When the Pirates allow at least one home run, they are 31-43, well-matched with the Giants who are 29-40 when allowing at least one homer.
