A crucial stretch of games that could decide the fate of the defending World Series Champion Giants continues when they visit the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first of a four-game set. The Pirates have made over bettors plenty of money lately with the over 11-3 in their last 14 home games.
ODDS ANALYSIS
Outside of a three-game home series with the Pirates back in early June, the Giants have avoided the top teams in the National League Central. But the schedule makers ensure that all teams play each other and now those lost games are catching up with San Francisco this month. The Giants were swept in Chicago two weeks ago and wrap up a seven-game road trip against the Pirates after playing three in St. Louis. The gauntlet continues next week when the Giants return home to face the Cubs and Cardinals again, wrapping up a stretch of 17 games in 24 days against the top three teams in the National League. The G-Men are hoping for better results after they were swept by the Pirates June 1-3.
PITCHING MATCHUP
The Giants haven’t officially named a starter but Jake Peavy (3-5, 4.18 ERA) is up in the rotation. Peavy won’t be bragging about his last performance but the Giants supported him with an outburst in a 12-6 win over Washington on Saturday. He allowed five runs on nine hits in 5.2 innings with three walks and two strikeouts. The effort was his worst since returning to action in early July. Peavy had yielded just 13 runs in 42.2 innings during his previous seven starts.
A winner in all three of his starts at PNC Park, Peavy owns a 2.25 ERA with 28 Ks in 20 innings pitched there. He has yet to face the Pirates as a member of the Giants.
Charlie Morton (7-4, 4.36 ERA) was dealing in his last start striking out a season-high nine Mets in 6.1 innings. He carried a shutout into the seventh before allowing a pair of home runs that tied the game, denying him a victory. It was an encouraging outing nonetheless for Morton, who owns a 3.44 ERA and 22 strikeouts in three August starts after posting a 5.04 ERA during the month of July.
In 11 career starts against San Francisco, Morton owns an impressive 2.84 ERA. He allowed one unearned run over eight innings when he faced the Giants at PNC Park on May 6, 2014.
QUOTE TO NOTE
“I haven’t had a lot of questions asked about him. Very quietly he’s picked up his offense in a very consistent fashion. He’s barreling up balls in the strike zone. He’s not chasing pitches outside the zone. He’s done a good job with his discipline and his balance.” – Bucs manager Clint Hurdle on the recent hot streak of Pedro Alvarez
LIVE BETTING or SITUATIONAL BETTING
Pirates closer Mark Melancon saw his club-record consecutive save streak end at 35 with more than a little help from his defense in Tuesday’s extra-inning win over Arizona. He entered with a two-run lead in the ninth but the D-backs rallied to tie it. Two errors allowed Arizona to score two unearned runs, handing Melancon his first blown save since April 21. Despite Tuesday’s blown save, Pittsburgh’s bullpen has been stellar with a 1.36 ERA over the last 16 games allowing just 10 earned runs in 66 innings. Pirates’ relievers have also won 17 consecutive decisions after Joe Blanton tossed three scoreless frames to get the victory on Tuesday.
PROP TALK
The Pirates have perhaps the most dynamic outfield in baseball led by former MVP Andrew McCutchen. He’s flanked by corner outfielders Starling Marte and Gregory Polanco to form an outstanding defensive group, but the three are also among the team’s offensive leaders. The trio has jumpstarted the Bucs offense at the top of the order with Polanco flourishing as the leadoff hitter. The second-year player who has all the tools is batting .348 in August with three of his seven homers coming in the past 11 games. Each of the three had two hits in Tuesday’s win over Arizona and they’ve combined for 73 doubles, 10 triples, 29 home runs and 48 stolen bases.
ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
There is plenty at stake for both teams in this series and we could be looking at another playoff rematch between these clubs. The Pirates have their sights on the Central Division title, looking to avoid another one-and-done wild card game, which they lost last year to the Giants. That defeat is still fresh in the minds of the Pirates and dampening the hopes of another Giants postseason run would be sweet for them.
Pittsburgh 5, San Francisco 4
The MLB odds for this game will be available first at BookMaker Sportsbook. BookMaker is going to have multiple betting options available for this nationally-televised baseball matchup. Live wagering during commercials offers an adjusted moneyline, individual inning run totals and next hitter results. Log in and start gambling during the game now!
Load your betting bankroll from your smartphone with BookMaker’s new cashier feature! Depositing and withdrawing funds from your account has never been easier. BookMaker's live betting platform means you always have access to odds and lines to every sporting event. Click here and start wagering today! First pitch for the game between the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates is scheduled for Thursday, August 20, 2015, at 7:05 p.m. ET at PNC Park. You can watch the contest live on the MLB Network.
