Free MLB Picks: San Francisco Giants vs. Pittsburgh Pirates: July 19th 2009

Free MLB Pick: Pittsburgh Pirates (107) - Sun July 19th 2009 1:35p
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The San Francisco Giants in the recent past have had a hard time figuring out the Pittsburgh Pirates, as is evident by losing 18 of the L/23 overall meetings in this series, including 5 straight at PNC Park( 2 this past weekend).

Even the usually stable Matt Cain(10-2, 2.38 ERA) is just 0-2 along with a humbling 5.63 ERA in career starts vs the Pirates. He may also exhibit a little rust, after a extending lay off, that has seen him not pitch since July 10, because of a bruised arm. It must be noted Cains team is just 1-6 in his L/7 starts after being off for more than 7 days. Meanwhile, Zack Duke (8-8,3.29 ERA) the Pirates starting hurler in this spot, owns a 2-0 record along with a stingy 1.65 ERA in his L/3 starts vs the Giants. The left hander has pitched his best at home this season where he has garnered a 6-3 record along with a tight 2.77 ERA in nine home starts, and once again looks like a solid choice on a value line.

I know these teams have played at the opposite end of the performance spectrum for much of this season, but considering the recent history in this series, it will not be a hard decision to back the Pirates to come away with a win in this spot.

Free MLB Pick: Play on the Pittsburgh Pirates