The strikeout-prone San Francisco Giants (28-27) face a tough test at Oracle Park on Wednesday against the Pittsburgh Pirates (27-27) and Mitch Keller, owner of one of this season’s best K/9 rates, with the three-game series in the balance.
The Pirates evened the series 1-1 after winning 2-1 on Tuesday. Dauri Moreta got the win with one scoreless inning out of the bullpen, and David Bednar earned his 10th save with a scoreless ninth. Rodolfo Castro was 2 for 3 with one run in the win. Michael Conforto went 2 for 4 with one RBI for the Giants.
ON THE MOUND
Keller (6-1, 3.01 ERA) is in line to start for Pittsburgh. The RHP ranks second in the NL in strikeouts (85) and tied for second in wins. Keller allowed six runs over six innings in his last start, an 11-6 road win over the Mariners on Friday. He was credited with the win, yielding seven hits while striking out eight and walking two.
Keller is making his first appearance against the Giants this season. Keller made one start against the Giants in 2022, a 4-3 home victory on June 19. He surrendered two runs on three hits over six innings, striking out four and walking three.
Left-hander Alex Wood (1-0, 3.51 ERA) gets the ball for San Francisco. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Pirates. Wood made two appearances against the Pirates in 2022, both starts, striking out 13 and walking three over 11.1 innings (1-0, 5.56).
In his last start on Friday, Wood got the win on the road against the Brewers. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up one run on three hits, striking out five and walking five in the 15-1 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Pittsburgh has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.3. Against lefties like Wood this season, the Bucs have a .737 OPS. Castro is the team’s best performer against left-handers with a 1.094 OPS in 56 at-bats.
San Francisco is averaging 7.6 runs per game in the last five, up from 4.6 for the season, with a higher slash line (.297/.353/.503). The Giants have a .758 OPS against righties in 2023. With a .891 OPS over 127 at-bats, LaMonte Wade Jr. has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Pittsburgh is 15-14 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 3.8 runs. San Francisco has gone 16-12 at Oracle Park this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.3.
In the last 10 games at Oracle Park between the teams, each club has won five, though San Francisco has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.7-4.3.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Pirates are second in the NL Central, one games behind the division-leading Brewers. The Giants are third in the NL West, five games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Pittsburgh Pirates (-105)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
