The strikeout-prone San Francisco Giants (6-11) will have their work cut out for them at Oracle Park on Thursday against the New York Mets (12-7) and Kodai Senga, owner of one of this season’s best K/9 rates, for the first of a four-game series. The Mets are kicking off the final series of their 10-game road trip.
They won two out of three in their last series against the Dodgers, taking the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium. Brandon Nimmo was 5 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. Mark Canha added a double and two RBIs. The Giants are returning home for an eight-game homestand.
They lost two of three against the Marlins in their last series, taking the finale 5-2 on Wednesday at loanDepot park. Michael Conforto went 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs. Darin Ruf added a double and one RBI.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Mets won four of the seven games between the teams, although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Oracle Park in May.
ON THE MOUND
Senga (2-0, 3.38 ERA) is slated to get the start for New York. The righty allowed four runs over 4.2 innings in his last start, a 17-6 road win over the Athletics on Friday.
He yielded seven hits while striking out seven and walking four in the no-decision. Right-hander Anthony DeSclafani (1-0, 1.42 ERA) gets the ball for San Francisco.
DeSclafani made one start against the Mets in 2022, throwing five innings in a 6-2 road defeat on April 21. He gave up nine hits and walked one, while striking out four in the loss.
In his last start on Saturday, DeSclafani took a no-decision on the road against the Tigers. He threw 6.2 innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on six hits, striking out five, in the 7-6 loss.
AT THE PLATE
The New York offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .227/.344/.384. Pete Alonso leads the team in OPS at 1.064. The second baseman is slashing .292/.387/.677 with eight home runs, 15 RBIs, and 15 runs over 19 games. Against righties like DeSclafani this season, the Mets have a .700 OPS.
Alonso also is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .898 OPS in 40 at-bats. San Francisco is slashing .246/.329/.429 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game. Five Giants hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Thairo Estrada (.965).
The left fielder has three home runs, six RBIs, and 12 runs scored with a slash line of .339/.393/.571. The Giants have ann .852 OPS against right-handers in 2023, second highest in the league. With a 1.150 OPS over 34 at-bats, Estrada also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
New York is 8-5 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. San Francisco has gone 2-4 at home this season, averaging 3.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 games between the teams at Oracle Park, San Francisco is 7-3 despite an average scoreline favoring New York (5.6-4.8).
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
NY Mets (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
