Giants vs. Pirates Saturday Prediction
The Giants have been an under-cashing machine for bettors to start the season but will that hold up on Saturday afternoon when San Francisco and the Pittsburgh Pirates play Game 2 of their series at 4:05 p.m. ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
955 San Francisco Giants (+115) at 956 Pittsburgh Pirates (-135); 7 runs
Saturday, April 20, 2019
4:05 p.m. ET, PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA
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Public Betting Trends
According to our MLB Public Betting Chart page, 72% of the betting tickets are on the Pirates to beat the Giants on the moneyline.
San Francisco Giants Fantasy Spin
Buster Posey went 2-for-4 with an RBI single in Friday’s loss to the Pirates. Both of his hits were singles. His run-scoring single in the eighth was the only offense of the game for San Francisco. Coming back from hip surgery, Posey has struggled so far with a .217/.299/.300 batting line over 18 games. His strikeout rate has been up so far and he’s driven in just two runs with no homers. Still, given the state of the catcher position, patience should be the name of the game in fantasy leagues.
Pittsburgh Pirates Fantasy Spin
Francisco Cervelli delivered a two-run double and scored a run in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Giants. Cervelli entered Friday’s action in an 0-for-24 funk, but he busted out by plating two runs against Madison Bumgarner in the first inning. While the Pirates tacked on two more runs in the frame, it was all Jordan Lyles and the Pirates’ bullpen needed. Cervelli went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts the rest of the evening and still holds a weak .167/.231/233 batting line overall.
MLB Betting Trends
San Francisco
The Giants have beaten the Pirates in seven of their last nine games in Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh
The Pirates are a perfect 4-0 in their last four home games.
Prediction:
I took the under in the first five innings of this matchup last night and was burned right away when Madison Bumgarner surrendered four runs in the first inning. Fortunately, I settled for a push because neither team scored again until the Giants pushed across a measly run in the top of the eighth, but I won’t make a similar mistake today. Derek Holland isn’t dominant but he’s effective and Jameson Taillon should be fine against a San Francisco lineup that is one of the worst in baseball. I’ll play the entire game this time around.
The Pick: Giants/Pirates UNDER 7