Free MLB Picks Today: St. Louis Cardinals vs San Francisco Giants 6/12/23

The San Francisco Giants (33-32) are on the road to face the St. Louis Cardinals (27-39) at Busch Stadium on Monday for the opener of a three-game series.

The Giants are playing their first of six games on the road. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Cubs, taking the finale 13-3 on Sunday at Oracle Park.

Joc Pederson was 4 for 4 with two home runs, four runs, and four RBIs. Thairo Estrada added two home runs, three runs, and four RBIs. The Cardinals are amid a six-game homestand.

They lost two of three against the Reds in their last series, dropping the finale 4-3 on Sunday at Busch Stadium. Nolan Arenado’s on-base streak is now at 13 games as he went 1 for 3 with a triple and one RBI.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

The Giants have won three of four in the season series between the teams, although they suffered a 6-0 defeat in their last meeting on April 27 at Oracle Park. Miles Mikolas threw 6.1 scoreless innings for the win.

ON THE MOUND

Logan Webb (4-6, 3.09 ERA) is in line to take the mound for San Francisco. The right-hander allowed four runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 5-4 road win over the Rockies on Wednesday. He gave up eight hits while striking out three and walking two in the no-decision.

Webb has made one previous start against the Cardinals this season, a 6-0 home loss on April 27. He surrendered two runs on seven hits over 6.2 innings, striking out seven and walking one. For St. Louis, RHP Jack Flaherty (3-4, 4.15 ERA) gets the start.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Giants. In his last start on Wednesday, Flaherty took a no-decision on the road against the Rangers. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up three hits, striking out eight and walking five in the 1-0 victory.

AT THE PLATE

The San Francisco offense is averaging 4.6 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .246/.321/.413. Four Giants hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by LaMonte Wade Jr. (.867). The left fielder is slashing .273/.413/.454 with eight home runs, 20 RBIs, and 32 runs over 62 games.

Against righties like Flaherty this season, the Giants have a .748 OPS. Wade Jr. also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .897 OPS in 160 at-bats. St. Louis is slashing .250/.324/.425 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game.

Nolan Gorman leads the team with an .886 OPS. The second baseman has 15 home runs, 46 RBIs, and 26 runs scored with a slash line of .263/.345/.540.

The Cards have a .755 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .903 OPS over 178 at-bats, Paul Goldschmidt has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Francisco is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 15-15 in 2023. The Giants have scored 5.2 runs per game away from home while allowing 4.6 runs.

St. Louis has gone 13-18 at Busch Stadium this season, averaging 5.4 runs per game while surrendering 5.0. In the last 10 games at Busch Stadium between the teams, St. Louis is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.0-3.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Giants are third in the NL West, seven games behind the division-leading Diamondbacks. The Cardinals are fifth in the NL Central, seven games behind the Pirates.