Free MLB Picks Today: San Diego Padres at San Francisco Giants 8/29/2022

The San Francisco Giants (61-65) host the San Diego Padres (70-59) at Oracle Park on Monday for the first of a three-game series. The Padres are in the midst of a nine-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Royals, dropping the finale 15-7 on Sunday at Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium. Manny Machado was 4 for 5 with two home runs and a double. He scored three runs and drove in four. The Giants are back home for a six-game homestand after finishing up a difficult eight-game road trip (2-6). They were just swept in three games against the Twins, dropping the finale 8-3 on Sunday at Target Field for their fourth straight loss. Brandon Crawford went 3 for 4 with one RBI.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Padres have won eight of 13 in the season series between the NL West rivals, including a 13-7 victory in their most recent meeting on August 10 at Petco Park. Robert Suarez got the win with 1.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.

ON THE MOUND

Mike Clevinger (4-5, 3.63 ERA) is slated to start for San Diego. The righty allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, a 3-1 road defeat against the Guardians on Tuesday. He took the loss, scattering two hits while striking out four and walking one. Left-hander Carlos Rodon (12-6, 2.81 ERA) gets the ball for San Francisco. He has made two appearances against the Padres this season, both starts, giving up three runs over 15 innings (1-1, 1.80) with 18 strikeouts and six walks. In his last start on Tuesday, Rodon got the win on the road against the Tigers. He threw seven innings and gave up one run on five hits, striking out 10, in the 3-1 victory. The left-hander ranks second in the NL in strikeouts (189).

AT THE PLATE

The San Diego offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .242/.320/.381. Machado leads the team in OPS at .889. The third baseman is slashing .298/.370/.519 with 24 home runs, 81 RBIs, and 81 runs over 118 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Rodon this season, the Padres have a .705 OPS. Brandon Drury is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .940 OPS in 122 at-bats. San Francisco is slashing .232/.315/.390 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Wilmer Flores leads the team with a .764 OPS. The second baseman has 16 home runs, 60 RBIs, and 59 runs scored with a slash line of .249/.330/.433. San Francisco is averaging only 1.8 runs per game in the last five with their slash line dropping across the board (.194/.271/.256). The Giants have a .685 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .849 OPS over 259 at-bats, Joc Pederson has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Diego is 35-31 on the road in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. San Francisco has gone 34-29 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. San Diego is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the teams at Oracle Park despite an average scoreline favoring San Francisco (4.6-4.1).