San Francisco Giants vs Pittsburgh Pirates 7/16/2023 Analysis, Game Tips and Picks
The San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates will play in a matinee at PNC Park to kick off the MLB schedule for Sunday. The Giants (51-41) have won four in a row and are 2.5 games behind Los Angeles, leading the NL West Division. Last night, San Francisco defeated Pittsburgh 3-1 on the road thanks to OF Michael Conforto’s single that broke a tie in the eighth inning and scored two runs. San Francisco manager Gabe Kapler has yet to select the starting pitcher for this game. The Giants presently have a 3.90 team ERA, which places them in the top third of the majors, and they have made 31 quality starts.
The Giants won the first game of the series on Friday, extending their winning run to three games and making it four in a row. On Friday, the offense produced ten hits and six runs. They played 91 games this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game and a team batting average of.248 that placed 16th nationally. Luis Matos, a rookie, had a 2-for-4 day on Friday with an RBI and a run. In 23 games this season, it was his seventh game with multiple hits. Over the past four games, he has not struck out and has walked just ten times in 85 at-bats.
With a 3.90 team ERA that ranks tenth through 91 games, the Giants are one of only ten teams with an ERA under 4.00. They had walked 242 times, the second-fewest in the game while striking out 798 opponents, the 11th most. The Giants confirmed Logan Webb’s absence from this series, making Alex Wood the more likely starter in this situation. In his final start on Saturday, which resulted in a victory, he allowed just three runs and one walk across five innings.
San Francisco Giants vs Pittsburgh Pirates 7/16/2023 Analysis, Game Tips and Picks
The Pittsburgh Pirates lost eight of their past ten games, which caused them to slip nine games behind in the standings in the NL Central Division. Pittsburgh’s hitters combined to go 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position during last night’s home defeat, leaving nine men on base. SP Johan Oviedo pitched for the Pirates (41-51) over seven innings and struck out ten opponents. Osvaldo Biso, a rookie right-hander, will start for the Pirates in his sixth big league game (1-1, 4.44 ERA). Biso has a 1.44 WHIP after pitching more than 24 innings while striking out 22 batters and allowing only one home run.
The Pirates, who have dropped to the bottom of the rankings, are one of the coldest teams currently in action, having dropped eight of their last ten games. Before Saturday, they averaged 4.1 runs on offense per game while allowing 5.8 runs per contest during their previous ten games. The pitching staff has averaged 4.7 runs per game all season. They share seventh place with 781 hits allowed through 91 games. Bido, who will start on Sunday, is making only his sixth big league outing. In his most recent appearance, 1.1 innings of scoreless relief last Sunday against the Diamondbacks, he earned his first Major League victory. Since being called up in June, Sunday will be the third time Bido has thrown in front of a home crowd.
Through 91 games, the Pirates’ offense had the sixth-lowest on-base percentage (.385) and tenth-lowest club batting average (.238). They scored the seventh-lowest total runs (383) and the fourth-lowest number of home runs (82). Pittsburgh came in fifth place with 81 stolen bases as a club. The club is reportedly getting set to welcome Andrew McCutchen back on Sunday. The veteran, who had right elbow inflammation and was on a 10-day IL, is anticipated to play in this game. He was the team’s leader with a.268 batting average and a.389 OBP.
San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates. The San Francisco Giants are the MLB’s selection to win this game. Ke’Bryan Hayes, a third baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates, is presently out with lower back pain but is qualified to come off the 10-day disabled list on Monday. San Francisco is now 11th in runs scored and 14th in OPS through 92 games. Pittsburgh is currently 24th in both OPS and runs scored for the season. For a home victory, bet on the Pirates. Predicted final result: 5-3 win for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
MLB Starting Time: 12:05 PM ET
Location: PNC Park in Pittsburgh, PA
Date: Sunday, July 16, 2023
TV: PEAC
MLB Odds: San Francisco Giants -145
MLB Totals: 9.0
