The strikeout-prone San Francisco Giants (42-32) are in for a challenge at Oracle Park on Thursday against the San Diego Padres (35-39) and Blake Snell, owner of one of this season’s best K/9 rates, with the home team looking for a sweep of the four-game series.
The Giants lead the series 3-0 after winning 4-2 on Wednesday, their 10th straight victory overall and third in five games against the Padres this season.
Reliever Sean Hjelle was credited with the win after throwing four scoreless innings, and Camilo Doval earned his 20th save with a scoreless ninth. Blake Sabol went 2 for 4 with a double and one run in the win. Trent Grisham was 2 for 3 with one RBI for the Padres.
ON THE MOUND
Snell (3-6, 3.48 ERA) is slated to get the start for San Diego. The left-hander threw six scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 road win over the Rays on Saturday. He earned the win, scattering two hits while striking out 12 and walking three.
Snell is making his first appearance against the Giants this season. Over three starts against the Giants in 2022, Snell was 2-1 with a 1.02 ERA over 17.2 innings. He had 27 strikeouts and seven walks. LHP Alex Wood (2-1, 4.11 ERA) gets the ball for San Francisco.
It’s his first appearance of the season against the Padres. Wood made five appearances against the Padres in 2022, all starts, striking out 28 and walking five over 25.1 innings (2-2, 3.91).
In his last start on Saturday, Wood got the win on the road against the Dodgers. He threw five scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out four, in the 15-0 victory.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 3.2 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.2. Against left-handed pitchers like Wood this season, the Padres have a .768 OPS. Fernando Tatis Jr. is the team’s best hitter against left-handers with a 1.164 OPS in 50 at-bats.
San Francisco is averaging 7.4 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.0 for the season, with a better slash line (.276/.363/.435). The Giants have a .727 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a .870 OPS over 60 at-bats, J.D. Davis has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
San Diego is on a four-game losing streak away from Petco Park, bringing their record to 16-19 in 2023. The Padres have scored 4.3 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.2 runs.
San Francisco has won four in a row in front of their home fans. The Giants are 21-17 at home this season, averaging 4.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In the last 10 meetings at Oracle Park, San Diego is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Padres are fourth in the NL West, nine games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Giants are second in the NL West, two games behind the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
SD Padres (-135)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
