San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks odds and predictions
The San Francisco Giants (76-74) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (79-72) open a key 2-game series at Chase Field Tuesday in Phoenix. First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Giants at Diamondbacks odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Season series: Giants lead 6-5
The Giants enter play 2 games back for a Wild Card spot in the jumbled National League standings. There are 5 teams basically vying for 2 Wild Card spots with the Philadelphia Phillies 3 1/2 games clear of the rest of the pack for one of the other card spots.
San Francisco made things hard on itself by dropping 3 of 4 games against lowly Colorado on the road over the weekend, and it is just 6-10 in the past 16 games overall. The Over and Under has alternated in the past 7 games.
The Giants optioned prospect Kyle Harrison to Triple-A over the weekend. Tuesday was to be his turn in the rotation. Veteran RHP Alex Cobb will get the nod in his stead.
Arizona is one of those teams vying for a postseason spot, entering play a half-game clear of the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds, and a full game up on the Miami Marlins, while sitting 2 1/2 games ahead of the Giants. So, this is an ultra-important game.
The Diamondbacks picked up a key 3-game sweep of the Cubs over the weekend, scoring at least 6 runs in each of the victories. The Over is 5-1 in the past 6 games overall.
Giants at Diamondbacks projected starters
RHP Alex Cobb vs. RHP Zac Gallen
Cobb (7-6, 3.62 ERA) makes his 28th start. He has a 1.30 WHIP, 2.2 BB/9 and 7.8 K/9 in 149 1/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 3 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 3 H, 3 BB, 3 K in 9-2 road win vs. the Toronto Blue Jays Thursday
- 2023 road splits: 2-4, 5.26 ERA (75 1/3 IP, 44 ER), 13 HR, .307 OBA in 15 starts
Gallen (15-8, 3.50 ERA) makes his 32nd start. He has a 1.11 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 9.3 K/9 in 192 2/3 innings.
- Last start: No-decision, 5 IP, 2 R (0 ER), 3 H, 1 BB, 2 K in 5-4 home win in 10 innings vs. the Cleveland Guardians Sept. 11
- 2023 home splits: 11-2, 2.18 ERA (90 2/3 IP, 22 ER), 6 HR, .220 OBA in 14 starts
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Giants at Diamondbacks odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 10:02 a.m. ET.
Giants at Diamondbacks picks and predictions
Prediction
Diamondbacks 5, Giants 2
The DIAMONDBACKS (-155) are worth playing in the home opener, as Gallen has been tremendous at Chase Field. His home splits are amazing, and he has been victorious in 11 of his 14 starts in Phoenix.
On the flip side, Cobb has been brutal on the road for the Giants (+125), posting a 5.26 ERA while serving up 13 homers. Teams are hitting north of .300 against him in those assignments, too.
The DIAMONDBACKS -1.5 (+135) are a good bet on the run line, especially behind Gallen. In the team’s 3-game sweep of the Cubs over the weekend, Arizona won 2 of the 3 games by at least a pair of runs, and it is a respectable 7-5 on the road line in the past 12 games when favored.
The UNDER 8.5 (-115) is the lean, mainly because of the presence of Gallen. He hasn’t allowed much in his home dates. The worry is Cobb, as the Snakes could get homer-happy against him under the roof. Still, Gallen should post plenty of donuts to keep this total from inching Over.
