Free MLB Picks Today: San Francisco Giants vs San Diego Padres 8/31/22

The San Francisco Giants (-150) host the San Diego Padres (+130) at Oracle Park on Wednesday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game series. The early total has been set at 7.5 (O: -120 | U: +100). The Padres (72-59) lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-3 on Tuesday, their fourth straight head-to-head victory and 10th in 15 games this season. Starter Blake Snell threw six scoreless innings- striking out eight – for the win, and Nick Martinez earned his eighth save. Trent Grisham was 2 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs in the win. Joc Pederson went 2 for 2 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs for the Giants (61-67).

ON THE MOUND

Joe Musgrove (8-6, 2.96 ERA) is slated to start for San Diego. The right-hander allowed five runs (two earned) over 3.2 innings in his last start, a 13-5 road win over the Royals on Friday. He gave up eight hits while striking out two and walking one in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Giants this season, Musgrove has allowed only one earned run over 21 innings (1-0, 0.43). He has struck out 14 and walked seven.LHP Alex Wood (8-11, 5.00 ERA) will toe the rubber for San Francisco. He has made four appearances against the Padres this season, all starts, giving up seven runs over 20.2 innings (2-1, 3.05) with 23 strikeouts and four walks. In his last start on Friday, Wood took the loss on the road against the Twins. He threw three innings and gave up eight runs on six hits, striking out four, in the 9-0 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 6.8 runs a game, up from their season average of 4.4, while performing better across the board (.301/.366/.495). Against southpaws like Wood this season, the Padres have a .706 OPS. Brandon Drury is the team’s most potent producer against left-handers with a .940 OPS in 122 at-bats. San Francisco is averaging only 2.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.4 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.218/.295/.297). The Giants have a .687 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .763 OPS over 279 at-bats, Wilmer Flores has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Diego is 37-31 away from Petco Park in 2022, scoring 5.0 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. San Francisco has lost four in a row at home. The Giants are 34-31 at home this season, averaging 4.4 runs per game while surrendering 4.2. In the last 10 meetings at Oracle Park, San Diego is 7-3 despite an average scoreline favoring San Francisco (4.7-4.4).

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Padres are second in the NL West, 19 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Giants are third in the NL West, 29 games behind the Dodgers.