Griffin Wong offers insights and predictions for tonight’s face-off between the San Francisco Giants and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Earlier in the summer, the Giants were viewed as contenders, but a poor stretch before the trade deadline compelled them to make significant trades. They recently sent pitcher Camilo Doval to the New York Yankees and outfielder Mike Yastrzemski to the Kansas City Royals. The Giants enter this three-game road series against the Pirates with a record of 56-56, finding themselves six games behind for the final NL Wild Card spot.
The game is set to kick off at 6:40 p.m. in Pittsburgh, with Johan Oviedo taking the mound for the Pirates and Justin Verlander starting for the Giants.
Wong breaks down the matchup, noting that the Pirates have shown strength in their pitching, especially since the All-Star break, allowing one or fewer runs in five games and boasting a 9-6 record in the second half despite a notable loss to the Colorado Rockies. The Giants, on the other hand, have struggled since the break, with a 4.91 ERA from their pitching staff and inconsistent offensive performance with runners in scoring position.
Oviedo, who hasn’t pitched in the majors since 2023 due to Tommy John surgery, has demonstrated impressive form during his minor league rehab stint, holding a 2.13 ERA across five starts. He may be limited to four or five innings in tonight’s game, putting pressure on a bullpen that has faced heavy workloads recently.
In contrast, Verlander has shown signs of improvement, with his recent performances yielding effective results. Over his last two starts, he has thrown for 10 innings, allowing just one run, while maintaining skilled control despite a decrease in fastball velocity.
With uncertainty surrounding the Pirates’ bullpen after strenuous outings from fellow pitchers, Wong suggests that the Giants’ offense could take advantage of the situation. He highlights Verlander’s improved strikeout ability and mentions that he has been effective in recent outings, which could bode well for the Giants tonight.
Overall, tonight’s game promises to be intriguing as the Giants aim to turn their season around against a Pirates team that has shown resilience on the mound. It’s a critical matchup for both teams, particularly for the Giants as they strive for playoff contention.