San Francisco Giants vs. Baltimore Orioles: Odds, Prediction
Two clubs seemingly emerging from an early-season malaise meet up at Camden Yards Friday when the Baltimore Orioles host the San Francisco Giants in the opener of a three-game interleague series.
Rafael Devers homered, doubled and drove in four runs in a 5-0 blanking of the Phillies on Wednesday. Tyler Mahle and four relievers combined to throw a four-hitter a day after Robbie Ray and two relievers combined to throw a four-hitter in a 6-0 shutout.
Tyler Ward had four hits, including two doubles, and drove in two runs when the O’s completed a sweep of the lowly Chicago White Sox with a 5-3 triumph on Wednesday. Kyle Bradish picked up his first win, allowing three runs on six hits in five innings pitched.
Betting Analysis
Baltimore enters Friday’s contest as a moderate home favourite on the MLB odds. The moneyline lists the O’s at -125, with the Giants as slight underdogs at +105. The run line is set at Orioles -1.5 (+170) and Giants +1.5 (-205).
The over/under total is 8.5 runs, with the over slightly favoured at -115.
San Francisco Giants
At 5-8, the Giants sit last in the National League West, a division that can get messy early if the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers continue their hot start.
The team still ranks near the bottom of the league in runs scored and batting average, but San Francisco did just take two of three from the Phillies, shutting them out two games in a row.
Friday’s starting pitcher, Landen Roupp, is 1-1 with a 4.22 ERA through two starts. He has a 1.13 WHIP.
Several Giants relievers are on the IL right now, including Jose Butto and Sam Hentges. The Giants would love to see Roupp go deeper than the 4 ⅔ innings he went on Saturday, when he allowed seven runs in a 9-0 setback to the Mets.
Baltimore Orioles
With three straight wins, the Orioles are back at .500 at 6-6, and trail only the Yankees in the American League East. They just swept the lowly ChiSox out on the Southside before returning home.
Ward has already proven his value as a new addition, leading the team with a .383 batting average. Gunnar Henderson has four home runs and nine RBIs, but free agent signee Pete Alonso is off to a slow start, batting .188 with just one home run in 12 games.
Shane Baz (0-0, 4.09 ERA) gets the nod for Baltimore. He allowed one run on four hits in 5 ⅔ innings on Saturday in a no-decision against the Pirates.
Multiple pieces of the Orioles’ young, talented core are on the IL, including Jackson Holiday and Heston Kjerstad. Starting pitcher Zach Eflin recently underwent Tommy John surgery.
MLB Prediction: Who Will Win Giants vs. Orioles?
Along with the Giants’ struggling offence and bullpen, the cross-country trip opens themselves up as potential victims in this opener.
New San Francisco manager Tony Vitello, the fiery, mouthy former coach at Tennessee, is already under the gun due to the team’s slow start and his lack of a professional coaching or playing pedigree. Another loss this evening won’t help things.
Look for Baz to limit San Francisco at the plate while the Orioles do just enough when they come up to bat in a 4-3 victory.
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