I want to cry for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They were easily baseball\u2019s most inspiring story just a few weeks ago, leading the National League Central after the All-Star break for the first time in 19 years. <\/p>\n
MLB Betting \u2013 Pirates vs. Giants Preview & Pick<\/strong> Pittsburgh Pirates (55-60)<\/strong> They were Rocky. Or so we thought.<\/p>\n Turns out the Pirates are more like the Jamaican bobsled team from Cool Runnings; <\/em>they\u2019ve warmed our hearts but they still suck in the end. Their tank job has been positively epic, including 10 straight losses and, now, a 1-11 mark over their last 12 games.<\/p>\n Jeff Karstens takes the hill against San Francisco this afternoon. He\u2019s fresh off a nightmarish August outing against the San Diego Padres on August 5 in which they hammered him for nine runs on nine hits in just 3.1 innings.<\/p>\n San Francisco Giants (64-53 through August 9)<\/strong> The San Francisco Giants remain half a game up on Arizona in the National League West but they\u2019re a bit lucky to be in that position considering they\u2019ve dropped seven of their last 10 games. Offense has been hard to come by for baseball\u2019s second lowest-scoring team. [dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]<\/p>\n At least San Fran erupted for six runs last night. It was nice to see Aubrey Huff finally do some damage at the dish; his homer was just his 11th<\/sup> this season.<\/p>\n The Giants have the second-lowest team ERA in baseball but it\u2019s not really thanks to Jonathan Sanchez, who is having somewhat of an off year on the mound. His stuff remains electric but the walks are just out of control. Even for a guy who always walks a ton of batters, his walks are even more off the chart this season.<\/p>\n Over is 8-2 in PIT last 10 games following a loss. Sanchez has a 5.16 lifetime ERA against the Pirates and is generally struggling of late, failing to go five innings in three straight starts. Meanwhile, Karstens is comfortable on the road, sporting a 4-2 reocrd and 3.03 ERA. A trip away from PNC Park may be just what he needs.<\/p>\n Look for the Pirates to strike back against the slumping Sanchez.<\/p>\n
\nDate: <\/strong>Thursday, August 10, 2011
\nVenue: <\/strong>AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA
\nBroadcast: <\/strong>RT, CSBA
\nPittsburgh Pirates at San Francisco Giants Betting Lines from BetUS.com<\/strong>
\nMoney Line: Giants -157<\/strong>
\nOver\/Under: 7.5 <\/strong>
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\nJeff Karstens (8-6, 3.05)<\/p>\n
\nJonathan Sanchez (4-6, 4.10)<\/p>\nMLB Trends<\/h3>\n
\nPIT are 5-16 in their last 21 overall.
\nPIT are 5-16 in their last 21 games on grass.
\nSF are 7-2 in their last 9 Wed. games.
\nSF are 3-9 in their last 12 overall.
\nSF are 3-9 in their last 12 games on grass.
\nPIT are 4-11 in the last 15 meetings.<\/p>\nMLB Free pick: <\/h3>\n