The San Diego Padres (13-14), one of the lightest-hitting lineups in the league, are set to host the San Francisco Giants (11-14) at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu on Saturday for the first of a two-game series. The Giants are heading on the road after an eight-game homestand (5-3).
They won three out of four in their last series against the Cardinals, dropping the finale 6-0 on Thursday at Oracle Park. Mike Yastrzemski was 1 for 3 with a double. Mitch Haniger went 1 for 1.
The Padres are playing the first of eight games at home after returning from a seven-game road trip (4-3). They lost two of three against the Cubs in their last series, dropping the finale 5-2 on Thursday at Wrigley Field. Manny Machado went 2 for 4 with a solo home run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season.
The Padres dominated the 2022 season series between the NL West rivals (13-6), including two out of three in their most recent meeting at Petco Park in October.
ON THE MOUND
Sean Manaea (0-1, 6.61 ERA) is slated to start for San Francisco. The southpaw allowed one run in 1.1 innings of relief in his last appearance, a 5-4 road win over the Cardinals on Tuesday. He scattered one hit while striking out two.
For San Diego, right-hander Joe Musgrove (1-0, 5.40 ERA) will toe the rubber. Musgrove made five appearances against the Giants in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 32 and walking 11 over 33.2 innings (2-0, 1.07).
In his last start on April 22, Musgrove got the win on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw five innings and gave up three runs on seven hits, striking out six, in the 5-3 triumph.
AT THE PLATE
The San Francisco offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .240/.320/.416. Four Giants hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by LaMonte Wade Jr. (.889). The center fielder is slashing .238/.429/.460 with three home runs, six RBIs, and seven runs over 23 games.
Against righties like Musgrove this season, the Giants have a .796 OPS, second highest in MLB. Thairo Estrada is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.018 OPS in 56 at-bats. San Diego is slashing .215/.301/.368 for the season and averaging 3.7 runs per game, fourth lowest in the league.
Xander Bogaerts leads the team with a .919 OPS. The left fielder has five home runs, 12 RBIs, and 18 runs scored with a slash line of .316/.409/.510.
The Padres have a .684 OPS against southpaws in 2023. With a .908 OPS over 24 at-bats, Trent Grisham has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Francisco is 4-7 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.4 runs per game while allowing 5.1 runs. San Diego has gone 5-8 as the home team this season, averaging 3.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.4.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Giants are fourth in the NL West, two games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Padres are third in the NL West, one games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SD Padres (-185)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
