At 80-48, the Brewers currently own the best record in all of baseball. Still, first place and homefield advantage in the National League is no guarantee for Milwaukee. A season that started with hope has spiraled into mediocrity for the 61-67 Giants. However, San Francisco has plenty of talent on its roster. Can the visitors deliver an upset win tonight? Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Friday’s showdown between the Giants and Brewers.
The Brewers are favorites (-175) over the Giants, with the over/under set at 8.5 runs. Let’s break down which side has the edge on DraftKings Sportsbook entering tonight’s contest.
Giants vs. Brewers prediction, preview
What’s made Milwaukee the envy of Major League Baseball this season? Several factors, but none more important than dominance on the mound. The Brewers are surrendering just 3.84 runs per game to opponents, fourth-best in the league. Obviously, rostering aces such as Freddy Peralta and Jacob Misiorowski helps. Still, it’s not just the big names getting it done. Jose Quintana has been a solid, under-the-radar addition for this club. The veteran has notched a 3.32 ERA and 1.28 WHIP over 105.2 innings of work. In addition, the former All-Star has allowed more than three earned runs in just four of his 19 outings.
Those numbers, while stellar, don’t guarantee success for Quintana tonight. With that being said, this is an advantageous matchup for the 36-year-old. The Giants are averaging a paltry 4.02 runs per game, the sixth-lowest mark in baseball. To make things more enticing, San Francisco owns a league-worst .612 OPS vs. left-handed pitching. When these two teams met on April 22nd, Quintana tossed six innings of one-run ball.
It’s safe to assume that the Giants are at a disadvantage on offense. Assuming that’s the case, the team’s chances of winning will come down to starter Carson Whisenhunt. The rookie has had a mediocre start to his professional career. Over three starts, he’s posted a 5.02 ERA, 1.40 WHIP and 12 strikeouts. That’s not exactly reassuring against one of the sport’s most dangerous lineups. Unlike San Francisco, the Brewers rake against left-handed pitching. Milwaukee is sporting the league’s second-best batting average against southpaws (.265).
Giants vs. Brewers pick, best bet
Best Bet: Brewers -1.5 (+119)
This is a battle between an unstoppable force and an incredibly moveable object. Since July 1st, the Brewers own the National League’s best record (33-11). In comparison, the Giants have been the Senior Circuit’s worst club during that time (16-27). With an inexperienced arm in Whisenhunt on the hill, it’s difficult to back San Francisco. Expect a comfortable win for Quintana and Milwaukee on Friday night.
