Giants at Padres 3/29/19 - MLB Picks & Predictions

The San Francisco Giants play the second game of a four-game series to open the regular season on the road Friday against the San Diego Padres. The Giants are not expected to fare well in 2019 with most baseball pundits having them finishing last in the National League West. Only Drew Pomeranz and Yangervis Solarte were acquisitions of note for the Giants. The Giants lost Hunter Pence, Gergor Blanco, and Nick Hundley.

San Diego is expected to battle with the Dodgers for the NL West crown after signing Manny Machado during the offseason. Other key acquisitions include Ian Kinsler and Adam Warren. Freddy Galvis was the most notable player to leave the Padres. With Eric Hosmer and Wil Myers protecting Machado in the Padres batting order, Machado should enjoy a big season at the plate for San Diego. The leading batting average for a returning player on the Giants is .255 by Brandon Crawford. Evan Longoria led the Giants in home runs with 16 while Crawford is the leader in RBIs on this year’s squad with 54 last season. On Friday, the Giants will send Derrick Holland to the mound. Last season, Holland was 7-9 with an ERA of 3.57, 169 Ks and 67 BBs.

Manny Machado will be the leading hitter on the Padres in 2019. Last season Eric Hosmer led the Padres in batting average at .253 and RBIs with 69. The leader in home runs was Hunter Renfroe with 26. However, the Padres were outscored by opponents last season 767 to 617. San Diego will send Joey Lucchesi to the mound on Friday. Last season, Lucchesi was 8-9 with an ERA of 4.08, 145 Ks and 43 BBs.