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On Saturday evening, two hopeful pennant-worthy teams will continue their interleague series as the San Francisco Giants try to make it four straight as they take on the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. It is time to take a look at our MLB odds series, where our Giants-Guardians prediction and pick will be made.
Currently sitting in a three-way tie for first place in the NL West, San Francisco will look to keep pace with their division rivals by sending out RHP Anthony DeSclafani, who has a 4.91 ERA and five strikeouts from his no-decision debut start last week against Miami.
Despite the loss to San Francisco, Cleveland has gotten off to a productive start themselves with a record of 4-3, including reeling off four straight wins prior to their Friday loss. On the mound for his second go-around will be RHP Cal Quantrill, who pitched rather well after firing up a quality start of five innings and only allowing two runs in a 17-2 rout of Kansas City.
Courtesy of FanDuel, here are the Giants-Guardians MLB odds:
MLB odds: Giants-Guardians Odds
San Francisco Giants: -1.5 (+146)
Cleveland Guardians: +1.5 (-176)
Over: 8 (-115)
Under: 8 (-105)
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Why The Giants Could Cover the Spread
Starting off the 2022 season right where they left off a year ago, as the Giants have been going streaking en route to a 5-2 start. Paired with top-half numbers at the dish and on the rubber, San Francisco is as well-balanced as they come.
After a masterful performance and start to the year by southpaw Carlos Rodon, DeSclafani will get his chance to replicate that same success. In 2021, DeSclafani was able to remain healthy by starting in 31 games for the Giants, which was plenty more than when he was only able to pitch in seven games during the 2020 season.
Historically, when you think of the Giants squads that have gone on to win World Series, pitching has been their calling card more often than not. When pitching is the name of your game, success usually follows. So far in 2022, the Giants have been doing just that, as they possess the second-best ERA in the majors at 2.39. Also, their starting pitching has been able to pitch late into games with three quality starts so far, keeping the bullpen fresh and ready to go when called upon in the 8th and 9th innings. Believe it or not, San Fran has five reliable arms in their starting pitching staff that are interchangeable with the hope of consistency throughout the 2022 campaign.
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Even though the Giants haven't always been the best hitting team in the league in years past, don't sleep on this lineup that is filled with exciting, young prospects and veterans who will fight hard in every at-bat they take. Despite going 0-3 on Friday night, 1B Brandon Belt is still on a tear to begin the season, as he is currently hitting .368 with an OPS of 1.237.
If San Francisco is going to cover the spread on Saturday, expect the offense to come in the form of extra-base hits and home runs, as the Giants are eighth in the majors in slugging percentage at an impressive .414 mark.
Why The Guardians Could Cover the Spread
Cleveland Rocks! Yes, maybe not so much 24 hours ago at their home opening loss at the hands of the Giants, but this is still a team that can inflict some serious damage. After being a below-average team at best with an 80-82 record in 2021, the newly rebranded Guardians are hopeful for change this season. So far, Cleveland fans have to be encouraged from what they've seen.
The scalding sticks were cooled down on Friday, as the Guardians only were able to cross the plate once after scoring 44 runs in their previous four games combined. While this was an anomaly to an otherwise high-octane offensive onslaught, Cleveland is still a top-two club in nearly every hitting stat known to man through seven games, as no team in the majors has managed to dial-up as many runs on the scoreboard.
Whether it's been rookie outfielder Steven Kwan, shortstop Owen Miller, and his insanely lofty .522 batting average, or third-baseman Jose Ramirez's capability to drive runs in, it is hard to record an out when facing this lineup.
With the amount of run support produced, the feeling of peace and comfort that Cal Quantrill must be feeling ahead of his second start must be nice. While Quantrill could've probably pitched more efficiently in his last start, he is still a skillful hurler that can throw his fastball in the mid-'90s while backing it up with a good amount of movement on his breaking balls.
Final Giants-Guardians Prediction & Pick
The Giants might've been able to cover the spread in the series premiere yesterday, does San Francisco have what it takes to keep the Cleveland offense in check once again? Most likely not.
Final Giants-Guardians Pick: Guardians +1.5 (-176)
