For about two and a half months, the Giants were the best team in the National League, but a recent skid knocked them from the cloud above the rest of the NL West. And suddenly, the always dangerous Dodgers are right back within striking range from San Francisco. But the Giants wrote the ship over the weekend and took two in a row at Arizona. And now, back at home, they get a series against the struggling San Diego Padres, beginning with their rookie pitcher making his Major League debut and first start in America. San Fran counters with Matt cain and fetches a price of just -125 on Monday night.
Free Pick
Odrisamer Despaigne will make his somewhat anticipated MLB debut tonight. The 27-year-old Cuban has had plenty of success in his mother nation before defecting and getting a chance to make millions pitching in the States. The Padres signed Despaigne when Andrew Cashner began experiencing arm trouble earlier this season, but he will make his debut with Cashner back in the San Diego rotation. There isn’t a whole lot of intel on Despaigne, but he appears to have a live arm with plus stuff. Other than that, he’s a relative enigma pitching in a big ballpark against a seasoned offense. The Giants haven’t hit the ball quite as well as they did earlier in the season. And with a banged up Buster Posey, the middle of the lineup doesn’t look quite as lethal. But I like San Fran’s approach against a pitcher who will certainly have some nerves of some sort pitching in America for the first time. I also really like Matt Cain in this spot.
It’s only a matter of time until Cain starts reeling off a bunch of wins. The righty is just 1-5 this year with an ERA of 4.52 despite a WHIP that sits at only 1.26. Cain’s stuff is still live – and like last year – he is struggling to put everything together in the first half of the season despite the good predictor numbers (WHIP, HR/fly ball/K rate). San Diego’s offense is downright terrible and Cain is due to start progressing toward where his numbers indicate he should be. Look for Cain to throw a really good ballgame at AT&T and get his second win of the season. For only a small price tag of -125, I like the Giants to have some value Monday night at home. They will be the spot to start the week.
Free Pick: San Francisco (-125)
YTD: 22-17-1 +2.08
cuba • despaigne • giants • matt cain • padres