Pirates vs Giants Picks and Prediction – 4/27/2024

In this MLB matchup, the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) face off against the San Francisco Giants (12-14) at Oracle Park. Both teams sit fourth in their respective divisions. The pitching duel features Martín Pérez of the Pirates, sporting a solid 3.45 ERA, against Kyle Harrison of the Giants, who's struggling with a 5.00 ERA. Elevate your MLB game with our top-notch MLB picks.

The Pirates bring a moderate offensive lineup into the fray. Andrew McCutcheon is leading the Pirates in home runs with three and Bryan Reynolds has a team best 15 RBIs, although the team overall ranks low in slugging percentage (25th) and home runs (25th). Pittsburgh's pitching strength, however, is notable with a team ERA of 3.71 (10th in MLB) and a commendable WHIP of 1.20 (6th in MLB). Despite a middle-of-the-pack batting average (.237, 18th in MLB), the pitching staff has held opponents to a .224 average.

The absence of Marco Gonzales and Ryan Borucki might impact depth in the bullpen. The team’s performance in the last series against Milwaukee showed toughness with a couple of wins, positioning them as strong contenders if they maintain pitching efficiency and capitalize on Giants' weaknesses.

The Giants mirror the Pirates in the NL West. With a higher team batting average than the Pirates at .247 (10th in MLB), they show better offensive potential. Michael Conforto is a standout with a .277 average and a slugging percentage of .500, leading the team in home runs (4). However, the Giants' pitching has been less impressive with a team ERA of 4.74 (27th in MLB), and a WHIP at 1.28 that ranks 15th.

San Francisco’s recent games, including a series against the NY Mets, displayed both strengths and weaknesses, with two wins against a formidable team. The ongoing injuries, including Blake Snell and Alex Cobb’s absence, might strain the pitching rotation. Nonetheless, a slight edge in batting stats could be pivotal if they exploit the Pirates’ occasionally faltering bullpen.