The San Francisco Giants are looking to retain the last wildcard spot in the National League but face a division opponent — the San Diego Padres — on Friday night that could be a spoilsport.
The Padres are 8.5 games adrift of last place in the NL but they could have a big September and potentially creep in, although odds suggest that is highly unlikely.
San Diego sends veteran Michael Wacha to the mound in this game against Giants opener Tristan Beck.
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How to bet on the Padres-Giants duel:
The Padres are the favorites in this game and I think they are the best bet to win at home.
The team has done well in Wacha’s starts this season, 12-6, and the Friars have won two of his three games since he returned to the rotation earlier this month. In August, Wacha achieved a 2.87 ERA in three starts.
Beck will be making his second start of the season after allowing three runs in 4.1 innings of work in his last outing. The Giants have a good bullpen (3.82 ERA), but they’re just one spot ahead of the Padres in bullpen ERA this season.
Both teams have been in the bottom half of the league in OPS for the last 15 days so I really think the Padres have the advantage with Wacha on the mound.
The veteran has allowed more than three runs in just four of his 18 starts this season. If he continues like this, San Diego should be able to master this game.
Game odds are updated regularly and are subject to change.
Peter Dewey’s betting record can be found here.