James Shields (2-5, 3.12 ERA) and the San Diego Padres (17-24) take on Jeff Samardzija (5-2, 2.88 ERA) and the San Francisco Giants (24-18) in a game that has the potential to be low scoring. This is the last of a three-game series at Petco Park. The Giants won the last game 2-1, continuing a seven-game winning streak. Action begins at 9:10 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 19 and can be seen on CSBA and FSSD.
Shields pitched 7.0 innings in his last outing, surrendering zero runs, striking out nine and walking one in a 3-0 win over the Brewers. Melvin Upton Jr. (.274, 16 Rs, 5 HRs, 16 RBIs, 7 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. Samardzija went 8.0 innings, surrendering one run and striking out three in a 3-1 win over the Diamondbacks in his most recent start. Hunter Pence (.298, 24 Rs, 7 HRs, 31 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run, one home run, and two RBIs.
The odds for San Diego and San Francisco are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is currently unavailable. Within its division, San Diego has a record of 15-11 SU. The Padres have seen an uptick in scoring as of late, averaging 0.0 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 0.0 runs per game. San Diego’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 9.3 per game. San Diego’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 0.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 0.0.
The Giants are 7-12 against NL West foes. Offensively, the Giants have really picked up the pace in the last 10 games. They have exceeded their season average of 0.0 runs per game by averaging 0.0 during that stretch. San Francisco is excellent at drawing walks with 4.0 per game, ranking fourth in the NL. The Giants allow 0.0 runs per game, but have improved upon those numbers in the past 10 games, allowing 0.0 runs per game during that span. When it comes to issuing walks, the Giants have the fourth-fewest in the NL with an average of just 2.6 walks allowed per game.
The Giants lead the season series, 5-0.
Predictions: SU Winner – SF
Notes
The Giants won their last game by a one-run margin. In games decided by one run, the Padres are 5-10. The Giants are 9-5 in close games this season.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Padres are going to have to step it up if they want to win this matchup. The Giants have a 10-0 record in games where opponents scored one run or less.
The Giants are coming into the game with seven consecutive wins, while the Padres currently have a losing streak of three.
When they outhit their opponents, the Padres are 12-2. The Giants have a 16-0 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 25th, San Diego is near the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 146 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top 10 at seventh with 188.
Ranking 27th, San Diego is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 101 this season. San Francisco ranks in the top five at third with 166.
The Padres are 14-7 when they hit at least one home run. The Giants perform similarly when they hit one or more homers with a 16-9 record.
