San Francisco at Arizona MLB Betting Lines Preview

Posted by Jordan Walterss on Thursday,May 12, 2016 11:12, EDT in

MLB News, Betting Tips, Picks & Previews

The San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks both added two top pitchers and a few hundred million dollars to their payrolls this offseason. The early returns? Meh as both clubs are around .500. But the good news: they are still battling the equally mediocre L.A. Dodgers for the early National League West lead. The Giants are +140 on sportbook odds to win the division and the Snakes at +400. They play Game 2 of a series on Friday night.

A Brief Report on San Francisco at Arizona MLB Betting Lines Preview & TV Info

FINAL: Rockies 8, #Dbacks 7 pic.twitter.com/kKbREe2EAg
— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) May 11, 2016

When: Friday, May 13, 9:40 PM ET
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix
Probable pitchers (away/home): Jeff Samardzija/Shelby Miler
TV: MLB Extra Innings, FSAZ
Stream: MLB.tv
Radio: San Francisco / Arizona
Opening MLB Lines: TBA

Giants at Diamondbacks Historic Betting Trends

San Francisco is hoping to get one of its best hitters back if not Friday then at some point this series in outfielder Angel Pagan. He hasn’t played since May 1 due to a hamstring strain, but the Giants have stayed hopeful and kept him off the disabled list. The veteran outfielder ran the bases and did agility drills Tuesday without experiencing renewed discomfort. The team is without two key relievers. Sergio Romo threw about a 35-pitch bullpen session this week but isn’t ready to begin a rehab assignment. George Kontos, on the other hand, has fared well in rehab outings and should be ready at some point in the San Diego series, which begins May 17.

Arizona made a move this week, signing outfielder Michael Bourn to a minor league contract. He’s currently in the minors. Bourn was just given his release by the Blue Jays on Monday. Given the questions in the outfield for the Diamondbacks, it would be no surprise if he eventually finds his way on the major league roster. One reason the team signed him is it isn’t sure about the health of outfielder David Peralta. He was planning to see a hand specialist on Thursday. Peralta was twice hit by pitches on his right forearm last month in San Francisco, and he said the discomfort he’s felt has gradually worked its way into his wrist. He said he recently began changing his swing mechanics to compensate for the lack of strength in his wrist. Peralta has been in and out of the lineup since.

Jeff Samardzija (4-2, 3.17) goes here for the Giants, one of their big offseason additions. Samardzija was a tough-luck loser Sunday versus the Rockies, allowing just two runs with nine strikeouts and one walk across 7.2 innings. He threw 123 pitches. That was the second-highest pitch total of his career, exceeded only by the 126 pitches he threw on May 5, 2014, as a member of the Cubs against the White Sox. He hasn’t faced Arizona this season.

Arizona counters with Shelby Miller (1-3, 7.36), the team’s big trade addition who has massively struggled. Miller allowed two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one over six innings to earn his first win Saturday at the Braves. Miller gave up single runs in each of the first two innings before shutting down the Braves while the offense gave him a lead just before he exited the contest. After failing to register a quality start in any of his first six outings, he finally had one. Miller has an 8.24 ERA at Chase Field this year. He lost there to San Francisco on April 26, allowing five runs in five innings.