The streaking Pittsburgh Pirates are searching for their fifth straight win as they play host to the San Francisco Giants at PNC Park. This NL showdown will be televised nationally on Fox Sports One and the game gets underway 4:05 p.m. ET.
San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates Odds
San Francisco (+145) is entering this game as the underdog to Pittsburgh (-155) and oddsmakers have set the Over/Under for this game at 7.5 runs. The odds for wagering on the game’s total now stand at -105 for the over and -115 for the under. Runline odds sit at -150 for picking the Giants +1.5 runs and +130 for the Pirates -1.5.
The Pirates are 11-6 straight up (SU) and 10-6 against the spread (ATS). They’ve gained 6.0 units for bettors taking the moneyline and 2.4 units ATS. Pittsburgh has covered the spread five times in its last seven games and the total has gone under in five of those seven. The Giants have gone 8-13 SU this year and are 8-12 against the spread. In total, the club has lost 2.3 units for moneyline gamblers in this young season and 7.8 units ATS. San Francisco is 3-4 ATS over its last seven games and the total has gone under in four of those seven.
Pirates games have an over/under record of 7-9 so far in 2019. San Francisco has an over/under record of 7-11-2.
Derek Holland is getting the nod for the visiting Giants. The southpaw Holland (1-2, 4.09 ERA) has racked up 27 strikeouts in 22 innings so far. He has yet to face Pittsburgh this year, but he did make two starts against the Pirates in 2018, posting a 2-0 record against them with a 2.84 ERA and 12 strikeouts.
The Pirates are putting the ball in the hands of righty Jameson Taillon (0-2, 3.43 ERA), who has 17 punchouts and five walks, along with a 1.14 WHIP. Taillon only made one start against the Giants in 2018 (0-0, 0.00 ERA and five strikeouts across three innings).
Pittsburgh’s pitchers have given up 3.2 runs per game overall this year as a unit. Its starting pitching staff has an ERA of 1.97, a WHIP of 0.98 and a strikeouts-per-nine of 8.6. The bullpen has a 3.58 ERA, 1.12 WHIP and 12.0 K/9.
The Pittsburgh hitters have produced 3.7 runs per contest, including 3.6 per game over its last 10 games and 3.6 per game over their last five. The team has slashed .213/.273/.325 over its last five matchups and is 4-1 SU during that stretch.
The Pirates’ offense has been led by first baseman Josh Bell and right fielder Melky Cabrera. Bell is hitting .311/.389/.574 with three home runs, 13 RBIs and 12 runs scored, while Cabrera is hitting .340 with 18 hits, four RBIs and five runs scored.
In the other dugout, San Francisco’s pitchers have allowed 3.6 runs per game and its starters own a 3.78 ERA, 1.18 WHIP and 9.10 K/9. The bullpen has an ERA of 2.33, along with a WHIP of 1.18.
Giants hitters have slashed .206/.269/.332 on their way to 3.0 runs scored per game this season, including 3.3 runs per game over the team’s last 10 games and 3.2 per game over the team’s last five contests (1-4 SU).
San Francisco’s offense has been fueled by Steven Duggar and Evan Longoria. Duggar is slashing .241/.278/.410 with three home runs, 10 RBIs and eight runs scored. Longoria (.224/.263/.382) has produced two homers, six RBIs and seven runs scored.
The Giants have lost 1.1 units and are 3-7 ATS when facing a righty starter this season. The over has hit in four of those games, compared to five that’ve gone under in such games. On the other hand, the Pirates have netted 0.8 units and are 2-2 ATS when facing a lefty starter. The over has hit in three of those games, compared to one that went under.
Giants vs. Pirates MLB Pick
Predictions: SU Winner – Pirates, ATS Winner – Giants, O/U – OVER
Betting Notes
- The under has hit in four of San Francisco’s last seven games.
- The Giants have hit eight home runs in their last 10 games, including five over their last five.
- The Giants have a team OPS of .602 this season and an OPS of .583 against right-handed pitchers. The Pirates’ OPS stands at .670 overall and .712 versus righties.
- Pittsburgh has recorded 19.4 Runs + Hits + Errors per game over its last 10 contests and 18.0 over its last five.
- The Giants have dropped four of their last five games SU.
