Two teams that would be in the playoffs if the season ended today face off in the second game of a four-game weekend series in Atlanta.
San Francisco Giants at Atlanta Braves
San Francisco entered this four-game series winning 21 of their last 27 games since July 4, but fell 3-2 in defeat in the opener at Turner Field. The Giants have now dropped back-to-back games for the first time since July 1-2. “We’ve won these kind of games. Look at the Dodgers series,” manager Bruce Bochy said after the game. The club has a good chance of bouncing back over the weekend, given its 6-0-2 series record in their last eight sets. San Francisco is 37-33 this season against teams with a record above .500, while going 25-14 versus losing teams. The Giants are 29-28 on the road this season (+120) and the total is 31-25 O/U in those contests. The team is 46-35 when facing right-handed starters in 2010 (+780) and a solid 166-147 in this situation over the last three seasons (+2,580). San Francisco hasn’t dropped three in a row since a season-high, seven-game skid from June 26-July 2.
Giants starting pitcher Barry Zito is 8-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 22 starts this season and is coming off one of his best outings of the year. In a 2-1 home victory over the Dodgers, he scattered three hits and allowed just a single run over seven strong innings. San Francisco’s offense has managed to score just six runs over his last four starts, producing an even 2-2 record in those games. He is 2-4 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 road starts this season, issuing 20 walks and striking out 40 in 62 frames. In four career starts versus the Braves, he brings a solid 3-1 mark and 2.42 ERA, allowing them to hit for a combined .191 average. The Giants are 13-9 when Zito is on the hill this season.
Atlanta carries a two-game divisional lead into the final three games of this series, as they face the team leading the National League Wild Card race. The Braves evened up the season series at two games apiece with last night’s victory and now hold a 34-17-1 edge at Turner Field. At home, the club is 23 games over .500 and their home winning percentage is the best in the majors. Atlanta is 9-3 as a home favorite of -125 to -150 this season (+460) and the total is 5-7 O/U in those contests. Facing left-handed starters has been a bit of a problem for the Braves, producing an 18-17 record this season, but they’ve averaged a solid 4.5 runs and hit for a combined .260 average.
Braves starting pitcher Tommy Hanson is an even 8-8 with a 3.83 ERA in 22 starts this season, but the club has dropped his last four outings. In those starts, Atlanta’s offense has managed to provide just eight runs of support, with the right-hander allowing 11 runs (seven earned) over 24.2 innings. He stands an even 4-4 with a 4.35 ERA in 11 home starts this season, issuing 17 walks and striking out 60 batters in 62 frames. Hanson has a 6-6 record and 3.48 ERA in 16 nighttime starts this season compared to a 2-2 mark and 4.88 ERA during the day. He made his only career start against the Giants at home back on July 20, 2009, allowing three runs and five hits over seven innings in a 11-3 victory.
Bettors will find that the Giants are 7-2 in Zito’s last nine starts against the NL East and the under is 8-2-1 in his last 11 versus the division. Atlanta’s record versus southpaws is not outstanding, but the team has captured its last four games against them.
