San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates odds, picks and predictions

The San Francisco Giants (24-26) and Pittsburgh Pirates (23-27) wrap a 3-game series Thursday at PNC Park. First pitch is scheduled for 12:35 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze FanDuel Sportsbook’s lines around the Giants vs. Pirates odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Giants lead 3-2

The first 2 games of this series both went 10 innings with the Giants rallying for a 9-5 victory as +108 underdogs Wednesday, a day after the Pirates rallied for a 7-6 win as +119 dogs in Tuesday’s opener. Thanks to the late drama, the Over cashed in both games.

The Pirates are vying for a 2nd consecutive series win, something they haven’t done since winning the first 3 series of the season against the Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles from March 28-April 7.

The Over is 5-2 in the past 7 games for Pittsburgh, and this series has been in stark contrast to the 3-game set at Oracle Park from April 26-28, when these teams cashed the Under in all 3 outings.

The Giants have won 5 of the past 6 games, while cashing the Over at a 4-1 clip in the past 5 outings. The total has gone high in 9 of the past 13 games for San Francisco, too.

Giants at Pirates projected starters

RHP Mason Black vs. RHP Paul Skenes

Black (0-1, 7.71 ERA) makes his 4th career start. He has a 1.97 WHIP, 3.9 BB/9 and 6.2 K/9 in 11 2/3 innings.

• Last start: No-decision, 3 IP, 4 ER, 4 H (1 HR), 0 BB, 2 K in 10-5 home win vs. Colorado Rockies Friday
• Last (only) road start: Loss, 4 1/3 IP, 5 ER, 8 H (1 HR), 3 BB, 4 K in 6-1 setback at Philadelphia Phillies May 6

Skenes (1-0, 2.70 ERA) makes his 3rd career start. He has a 0.90 WHIP, 2.7 BB/9 and 16.2 K/9 in 10 innings.

• Last start: Win, 6 IP, 0 ER, 0 H, 1 BB, 11 K (100 pitches) in 9-3 victory at Chicago Cubs Friday
• Last (only) home start: No-decision, 4 IP, 3 ER, 6 H (1 HR), 2 BB, 7 K in 10-9 win vs. Cubs May 11

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Giants at Pirates odds

Provided by FanDuel Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 4:26 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML): Giants +134 (bet $100 to win $134) | Pirates -158 (bet $158 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS): Giants +1.5 (-162) | Pirates -1.5 (+134)
• Over/Under (O/U): 8.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)

Giants at Pirates picks and predictions

Prediction

Pirates 5, Giants 2

The PIRATES (-158) are worth a look as moderate favorites behind their new ace Skenes.

The rookie right-hander out of LSU was tearing up Triple-A and has carried things over through 2 starts in the majors. He baffled the Cubs in 6 hitless innings last time out at Wrigley Field. This will be his 1st outing against another team besides Chicago, so it will be interesting to see how he handles the Giants (+134). But if his first 2 career starts are any indication, he’ll be just fine.

The PIRATES -1.5 (+134) is worth playing lightly if you’re a little less conservative, and you like to roll the dice. Obviously, don’t play both the run line and the moneyline for full units each as we’re not looking to double dip. I could see divvying up 1½ units between the 2 options.

There is a bit of risk on the RL play as 3 of the past 4 wins for Pittsburgh have been by just a single run. Of course, the lone exception was a 9-3 win at Wrigley Field in Skenes’ last start.

UNDER 8.5 (-115) is worth a look, but be careful. Skenes is likely to toss up plenty of donuts, but the Giants are expected to use Black, who has been very giving. As mentioned, the Over cashed in the first 2 games of this series, too, so there’s that.

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