The San Francisco Giants (46-38) and Pittsburgh Pirates (46-37) will continue a three-game National League series on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 4:05 ET
San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates
San Francisco overcame an early three-run deficit to capture a 6-5 victory over Pittsburgh in the series opener Friday night, moving the club’s record to 3-1 in the season series. The Giants managed to become the first visiting team to record a five-run inning at PNC Park all year. It’s important to note that the pitching staff still has a 4.72 ERA on the road this season, which is much higher than its 2.42 figure in the Bay Area. San Francisco is 6-5 as a road underdog of +100 to +125 this season, with the “over” going 6-5 in those contests.
Giants starting pitcher Ryan Vogelsong (7-3, 2.26 ERA) has led the club to 10 wins in his last 11 starts, while the club is 11-4 overall in his 15 outings this year. The right-hander is 3-1 with a 3.54 ERA in six road outings, surrendering just three home runs in 40.2 combined frames. In three career starts versus the Pirates, Vogelsong has tallied a 1-2 record and 4.76 ERA. He spent five years in Pittsburgh, going 10-19 with a 6.00 ERA in 103 games (33 starts).
Pittsburgh has still won eight of its last 10 despite last night’s setback, as the team looks to improve its Saturday mark to 8-0 when playing at home this season. The Pirates have won just six of their last 20 meetings with the Giants, but could turn the tide due to posting a 19-6 home record since May 12. Offensively, the team is pacing the majors in averaging 7.3 runs over its last 10 games, with outfielder Andrew McCutchen leading the way. He leads the majors with a .360 batting average entering the weekend. Pittsburgh is 7-2 at home with a money line of -100 to -125 this season.
Pirates starting pitcher James McDonald (8-3, 2.45 ERA) enters on a personal three-game winning streak, including an 11-2 home victory over the Houston Astros, giving up two runs and four hits over seven innings. The right-hander is 4-1 with a 1.73 ERA in nine home outings, with opposing hitters batting .183 against him. In 11 career games (four starts) versus the Giants, McDonald has tallied a 1-3 record and 3.38 ERA.
Bettors will likely back the Giants due to their 4-1 mark in Vogelsong’s last five starts as a road underdog, while the Pirates are 2-5 in McDonald’s last seven efforts as a favorite of -110 to -150.
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