San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 6/18/2022

Time: 4:05 p.m. ET

Venue: PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA

Where to watch: NBC Sports Bay Area, AT&T SportsNet-Pittsburgh

DraftKings: Giants -175, Pirates +150

BetMGM: NL

Caesars: Giants -179, Pirates +160

Giants: 36-27

Pirates: 25-38

I think it's fair to expect that the San Francisco Giants were going to lose the finale of their three game series against the Kansas City Royals much like I think it's fair to assume that the Pittsburgh Pirates were going to win the final game of their four-game series against the Cardinals. 

Funny enough however, the end results of those series she was more signs of the other team running out of gas, or vice versa. Nevertheless for San Francisco, it has been a solid week and a half in terms of results. Not just getting two of three against a lowly Kansas City team but also sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers earlier in the week can certainly Lind the way for competence for a team that is trying to get back to the top of the National League West. 

Because at least for right now, the giants are relying on their pitching to get them to where they want to go. The rotation definitely is not on the same level as it was last year when the giants completely dominated all the way through the National League and ended up winning the most games in the league, of course before losing to the dodgers. 

But there is still enough talent on this team to give anyone a reason as to why SF can make a comeback and win this division, or at least get into the playoffs. Taking on a team like the pirates, who are not as decent as we would like to think they are, is definitely a good start in terms of seeing if the giants can at least handle their own business.

Pittsburgh at the very least has figured out how to win even when getting dominated by the first place Cardinals over a span of three days. But at least the pirates rebounded after getting nearly no hit the other night. 

At least the Cardinals responded with a solid victory in Saint Louis before moving on to this upcoming tilt at home against San Francisco. That is all list leave something the pirates need as far as getting back on track.

Because for as bad as the pirates have been altogether this season, Pittsburgh still has a much better home record then it does on the road. And as an underdog they've also last three times I have a possible 51 games. 

To me, if you were looking to get some sort of establishment, some sort of continuity with this group you take care of business at home first period and I think that's what the pirates have found themselves to be doing and I think that it has benefited them in a great way up to this point.

I do think returning home after a long road trip will do the pirates some good. It's one of the reasons why they've fallen off so hard in terms of the the standings Rather than be the 500 team that they've been for the majority of the last month or so. And that's why I think Pittsburgh ultimately wins this game. Pirates win 5-4

Giants are 24-15 in June the past three seasons.

Giants are 82-60 on the road the past three seasons.

Pirates are 11-7 against NL West teams this season.

Giants:
Luis Gonzalez (L) RF
Mike Yastrzemski (L) CF
Evan Longoria (R) 3B
Joc Pederson (L) LF
Brandon Belt (L) 1B
Thairo Estrada (R) 2B
Tommy La Stella (L) DH
Brandon Crawford (L) SS
Austin Wynns (R) C
SP - Alex Wood

Pirates:
Ke'Bryan Hayes (R) 3B
Bryan Reynolds (S) CF
Michael Chavis (R) 1B
Daniel Vogelbach (L) DH
Diego Castillo (R) SS
Jack Suwinski (L) LF
Yu Chang (R) 2B
Cal Mitchell (L) RF
Tyler Heineman (S) C
SP - Jose Quintana