The San Francisco Giants will conclude their three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday at PNC Park. We're here to share our MLB odds series and make a Giants-Pirates prediction while showing you how to watch.
The Giants and Pirates are both in similar situations as they close this series out. When Wednesday came around, they both had identical records of 23-26. Now, both look to get the last leg of this series before heading in solo directions. The Giants will head to Queens to face the New York Mets, while the Pirates will stay home to welcome the Atlanta Braves. Ultimately, each game matters as these teams attempt to gain some ground.
Mason Black starts for the Giants. He is 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. Unfortunately, he struggled in his last start, going just three innings while allowing four earned runs on six hits in a no-decision against the St. Louis Cardinals.
Paul Skenes starts for the Pirates. he is 1-0 with a 2.70 ERA. Amazing, he tossed six hitless innings while striking out 11 starts. After struggling in his first start, he shut the door down in the second.
Here are the MLB Odds, courtesy of FanDuel.
MLB Odds: Giants-Pirates Odds
San Francisco Giants: +1.5 (-164)
Moneyline: +134
Pittsburgh Pirates: -1.5 (+136)
Moneyline: -158
Over: 8.5 (-105)
Under: 8.5 (-115)
How to Watch Giants vs. Pirates
Time: 12:35 PM ET/9:35 AM PT
TV: NBC Sports Bay Area
Stream: fuboTV (Click for free trial)
Why The Giants Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Giants have had mixed results on offense. So far, they are ninth in batting average and 10th in on-base percentage. But the Giants are also 25th in runs, 20th in home runs, and 17th in slugging percentage. Therefore, their hitters have gone up and down this season and will look to get some runs across the number-one draft pick from 2023.
Lamonte Wade Jr. has been one of their best hitters. So far, he is batting .321 with two home runs, 15 RBIs, and 18 runs. Wilmer Flores has had a bad season. It does not seem like it is getting better, as he is hitting .210 with one home run, 13 RBIs, and nine runs. Matt Chapman has had some highlights. Overall, it has not been good, as he is batting .243 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, and 30 runs. Jorge Soler is hoping for more consistency. Sadly, he is batting just .204 with five home runs, 10 RBIs, and 17 runs.
The Giants are not a good pitching team. Currently, they are 23rd in team ERA. San Francisco also has a shaky bullpen. So far, their relievers are 26th in team ERA. This was on full display on Tuesday when they blew a four-run lead in the ninth inning to turn an easy win into an extra-innings loss.
The Giants will cover the spread if their bats can make Skenes work for every single out. Then, their bullpen must hold the lead.
Why The Pirates Will Cover The Spread/Win
The Pirates have stumbled on offense. Unfortunately, they are just 26th in batting average and 25th in both on-base percentage and runs. The Pirates are also 20th in home runs and 26th in slugging percentage. Thus, they hope to break out of this funk and produce some runs.
Oneil Cruz has been wonderful so far. Significantly, he is batting .260 with seven home runs, 19 RBIs, and 18 runs. Bryan Reynolds has had some struggles. So far, he is hitting just .247 with five home runs, 22 RBIs, and 18 runs. Connor Joe has probably been one of the more consistent hitters on this team. Currently, he is batting .277 with six home runs, 22 RBIs, and 25 runs. Andrew McCutchen is a shell of his former self. Overall, he is hitting .223 with six home runs, 12 RBIs, and 20 runs.
The Pirates have an average pitching staff. Ultimately, they are 12th in team ERA. But the bullpen has not done a good job this season. Substantially, they are 22nd in the league in team ERA.
The Pirates will cover the spread if their lineup can get hot sooner in the game and build a large lead that helps Skenes get comfortable. Then, they need Skenes to locate his pitches and replicate his effort from his second start.
Final Giants-Pirates Prediction & Pick
The Giants are throwing a pitcher who has not had the easiest time in the majors. Conversely, the Pirates will send out the top pick, and one who is certainly capable of dominating. We expect the Pirates to hit the ball well. Then, we believe Skenes will find a way to locate his pitches and confuse this San Francisco lineup. The third start of his career will not be perfect. Yet, we do believe the Pirates will play well, and Skenes will at least go five innings and help the Pirates cover the spread.
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Final Giants-Pirates Prediction & Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates -1.5 (+136)
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