The St. Louis Cardinals and the San Francisco Giants share identical records of 77-80, each holding the fourth position in their respective divisions. The Cardinals arrive at Oracle Park with a two-game winning streak and a balanced 5-5 performance in their last ten games. Meanwhile, the Giants have struggled recently, recording only two wins in their past ten outings, including a loss to the Cardinals just two days ago.
Oracle Park in San Francisco will set the stage for this encounter, with weather forecasts predicting mild conditions under overcast clouds. The Cardinals, managed by Oliver Marmol, have shown resilience with recent victories over the Milwaukee Brewers and the Giants. On the other side, Bob Melvin’s Giants aim to break their losing streak and improve upon their 38-38 home record.
Despite recent struggles, the Giants hold the moneyline edge at -129, according to consensus odds. The Cardinals are listed at +110, with a +1.5 runline at -197. Both teams will look to capitalize on the outdoor setting in San Francisco, aiming to end the regular season on a positive note before heading into the offseason.
Giants vs Cardinals At a Glance
- Game Location: Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA, an outdoor field.
- Team Records: Both the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants hold a record of 77-80.
- Division Standings: Both teams are ranked 4th in their respective divisions.
- Weather Forecast: Expect mild and breezy conditions with overcast clouds.
- Broadcast Info: The game will be televised on FDSMW.
- Game Odds: The Cardinals have a moneyline of +110, while the Giants are at -129.
Giants’ Showdown: San Francisco vs. St. Louis Cardinals
Team Overview
The San Francisco Giants head into their upcoming game against the St. Louis Cardinals with mixed performances. Currently holding a 77-80 record, they are 3.5 games behind the final wild card spot, which puts pressure on them to perform in their remaining games.
The Giants’ offense ranks 18th in batting average (.234) and 17th in on-base percentage (.310), showing potential but lacking consistency. Their slugging percentage of .384 ranks 22nd, indicating room for improvement in hitting for power.
Pitching Analysis
On the mound, the Giants boast a respectable team ERA of 3.87, ranking 10th in the league, suggesting that their pitching staff has been a strength. However, the team has given up the fewest home runs (137) in the league, highlighting their ability to keep the ball in the park.
Robbie Ray will start for the Giants, entering the game with an 11-8 record, a 3.65 ERA, and a WHIP of 1.21. Ray’s performance will be crucial in determining the Giants’ chances in this matchup.
Key Players
Rafael Devers leads the Giants’ offense with 33 home runs and 106 RBIs, showcasing his ability to drive in runs consistently. Devers’ batting average stands at .252, with an on-base percentage of .371 and a slugging percentage of .473.
Willy Adames and Heliot Ramos provide additional power in the lineup, with 28 and 19 home runs, respectively. However, Adames’ batting average of .224 indicates a need for improvement in getting on base more consistently.
Recent Performance
The Giants recently lost to the Cardinals 6-5, marking their 80th loss of the season. Despite strong individual performances, the team has struggled to convert these into wins.
In their last five games, the Giants have a 1-4 record, and they have won only two of their last ten games. These recent struggles underscore the need for a turnaround in their upcoming games.
Betting Trends
- SU Last 3 Games: 1-2 (33.3%)
- SU Last 5 Games: 1-4 (20.0%)
- SU All Games: 77-80 (49.0%)
- Runline as Underdog: 40-28 (58.8%)
- O/U in Away Games: 41-40 (50.6%)
Cardinals Aim to Continue Winning Streak Against the Giants
San Francisco Giants Offensive Overview
The San Francisco Giants are entering this game with a batting average of .245, placing them 12th in the league. Their on-base percentage stands at .314, ranking 14th. Despite these respectable figures, the team’s slugging percentage is notably lower at .378, ranking them 23rd.
The Giants have hit 144 home runs this season, ranking 24th in the league, indicating a need for more power at the plate. However, they have managed to hit 253 doubles, which places them at 11th, showcasing their ability to find gaps in the defense. Walks have been less frequent with only 466, ranking 23rd, pointing to a more aggressive approach at the plate.
Key Players to Watch
While the Giants’ lineup lacks significant home run power, players like Mike Yastrzemski could play a pivotal role. Yastrzemski has been a consistent performer and could provide the necessary spark. Additionally, the Giants will rely on their doubles hitters to sustain offensive pressure.
The Giants will need to focus on patient at-bats to increase their walk totals and on-base percentage. Players like Wilmer Flores, known for his disciplined approach, could be key in this strategy.
San Francisco Giants Pitching Performance
On the mound, the Giants’ pitching staff holds a 4.24 ERA, ranking 20th in the league. Their batting average against is .258, which places them 18th, suggesting a middle-of-the-pack performance. Notably, the team has allowed 159 home runs, which is the 4th highest in the league.
The Giants have managed to secure 54 quality starts, ranking them 10th. Blown saves have been an issue, with 23 ranked 6th, indicating late-game struggles. Strikeouts are notably low with 1166, ranking them 28th, highlighting a need for improved strikeout capabilities.
Betting Trends for the San Francisco Giants
- SU Last 3 Games: 1-2
- SU Last 5 Games: 2-3
- SU Last 10 Games: 4-6
- Runline Last 3: 2-1
- Runline Last 5: 3-2
- Runline Last 10: 5-5
- O/U Last 3: 1-2
- O/U Last 5: 2-3
- O/U Last 10: 5-5
Giants’ Strategy Against the Cardinals
In this game, the Giants will need to leverage their doubles hitters to maximize scoring opportunities. Timely hits and capitalizing on Cardinals’ defensive lapses could be crucial. Robbie Ray, with his 3.65 ERA, will be tasked with neutralizing the Cardinals’ offense and keeping the game close.
The Giants’ pitching staff must focus on reducing home run allowances to prevent giving the Cardinals any easy runs. A focus on control and pitch selection will be vital in achieving this goal. Additionally, the bullpen must avoid blown saves to secure any leads they may have late in the game.
Giants vs Cardinals Prediction: Cardinals +110
The San Francisco Giants are struggling with a 2-8 record over their last 10 games and have been facing challenges at home with a 38-38 record. Despite having Robbie Ray on the mound, whose ERA is a respectable 3.65, the Giants’ recent form suggests potential vulnerabilities. Their inability to capitalize on opportunities, as seen in their recent 6-5 loss to the Cardinals, indicates ongoing struggles.
On the other hand, the St. Louis Cardinals come into this game with a bit of momentum, having won their last two games. With Sonny Gray starting, who holds a record of 14-8 and an ERA of 4.33, they have a reliable presence on the mound. The Cardinals’ recent head-to-head success against the Giants further bolsters their case, having taken three of the last four games this season.
Given the current odds, the Cardinals at +110 offer a valuable pick, especially considering their recent track record against the Giants and their slightly better form. The Giants’ inconsistency and recent struggles, coupled with the Cardinals’ ability to exploit such weaknesses, provide the Cardinals with an edge.
Projected score: Cardinals 5 – Giants 4. A close game but expect the Cardinals to edge out a victory, continuing their favorable results against the Giants.
- Giants vs Cardinals Prediction: Cardinals +110
- Giants vs Cardinals Score: Cardinals 5 – Giants 4
