The Pittsburgh Pirates (26-26) are on the road to face the San Francisco Giants (27-26) at Oracle Park on Monday for the first of a three-game series.
The Pirates are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Mariners, dropping the finale 6-3 on Sunday at T-Mobile Park. Bryan Reynolds was 2 for 5 with a triple, one run, and one RBI.
The Giants are back home for a six-game homestand after concluding a productive seven-game road trip (5-2). They won three of four against the Brewers in their last series, dropping the finale 7-5 on Sunday at American Family Field.
Michael Conforto went 2 for 3 with one run. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. In 2022, the Giants won five of the six games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a three-game set at Oracle Park in August.
ON THE MOUND
Rich Hill (4-4, 4.27 ERA) is in line for the start for Pittsburgh. The southpaw allowed five runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 6-1 road defeat against the Rangers on Tuesday. He took the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out nine and walking two.
RHP Anthony DeSclafani (3-4, 3.43 ERA) will toe the rubber for San Francisco. In his last start on Wednesday, DeSclafani took the loss on the road against the Twins. He threw five innings and gave up seven runs (4 ER) on six hits, striking out six and walking two in the 7-1 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Pittsburgh offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .244/.322/.403. Four Pirates hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Reynolds (.847).
The center fielder is slashing .287/.341/.505 with seven home runs, 33 RBIs, and 30 runs over 50 games. Against righties like DeSclafani this season, the Bucs have a .707 OPS.
Reynolds also is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .910 OPS in 140 at-bats. San Francisco is slashing .245/.317/.416 for the season and averaging 4.5 runs per game.
LaMonte Wade Jr. leads the team with ann .856 OPS. The left fielder has seven home runs, 16 RBIs, and 23 runs scored with a slash line of .265/.413/.444.
San Francisco is averaging 5.8 runs per game in the last five with an improved slash line (.280/.320/.460). The Giants have a .684 OPS against lefties in 2023. With a .809 OPS over 58 at-bats, Thairo Estrada has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 14-13 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. San Francisco has gone 15-11 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.0 runs per game while surrendering 4.4.
In the last 10 meetings at Oracle Park, each club has won five, though Pittsburgh has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.7-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are second in the NL Central, zero games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Giants are third in the NL West, four games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SF Giants (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
