On Thursday afternoon, the National League will witness the conclusion of a thrilling three-game series as the San Francisco Giants (67-66, 4th NL West) face off against the Milwaukee Brewers (75-56, 1st NL Central). The Giants managed a narrow victory of 5-4 in the series opener on Tuesday. The second game occurred on Wednesday night (Note: This article was prepared before the results of Wednesday’s match were available). This matchup marks the first time these teams have met during the current season. The Giants are set to pitch Hayden Birdsong (4.57 ERA), while the Brewers will counter with Aaron Civale (4.84 ERA). Game time is slated for 2:10 PM at American Family Field in Milwaukee.
For expert insights on MLB matchups, our MLB Predictions stand out.
Giants Riding the Emotional Rollercoaster
The San Francisco Giants have experienced an intense stretch lately, going 2-2 in their last four games, with each contest decided by a single run. This close competition reflects their struggle to keep pace with the top three teams in the NL West, currently trailing the Padres by 8.5 games. With an 18-game cushion over the last-place Rockies, the Giants appear secure in their fourth-place position for the remainder of the season. In the series opener against the Brewers, Mike Yastrzemski’s two-run shot in the seventh inning was pivotal in securing the win.
Yastrzemski, batting sixth and playing right field, notched his 11th home run of the season, bringing his RBI total to 42 and maintaining a .243 batting average. Leading the team in offensive statistics is Matt Chapman, the third baseman, who boasts 21 home runs, 64 RBIs, and a batting average of .246. In Tuesday’s victory over Milwaukee, Chapman delivered three hits and an RBI while batting from the fifth spot. Heliot Ramos, positioned fourth in the lineup, follows closely behind Chapman with 20 home runs, accomplishing this feat in 121 fewer at-bats, along with 64 RBIs and a .283 batting average. LaMonte Wade Jr., the first baseman, led off with five home runs, 23 RBIs, and a .274 average.
Making his 11th start of the year, Hayden Birdsong, a 22-year-old right-handed rookie, holds a record of 3-3. Unfortunately for the Giants, they have suffered defeats in Birdsong’s last four starts. His ERA stands at 4.57, complemented by 54 strikeouts against 26 walks, and he has allowed eight home runs this season. In his most recent outing, he pitched four scoreless innings but still faced a loss against the Mariners.
Brewers in Pursuit of Dominance
While the Phillies and Dodgers often dominate discussions about the best teams in the National League, the Milwaukee Brewers are quietly positioning themselves for a strong playoff run. They currently sit just 2.5 games behind the leading teams in their division, with a comfortable nine-game lead over the second-place Cubs. This favorable standing increases their chances of representing the NL Central in the postseason. During Tuesday’s game, Willy Adames contributed a two-run homer in the sixth inning, but it was not enough to secure a win.
Adames has emerged as Milwaukee’s power hitter this season, leading the team with 24 home runs and 88 RBIs, while maintaining a .253 batting average from the fifth spot in the lineup. The catcher, William Contreras, holds the team’s highest batting average at .281, complemented by 17 home runs and 74 RBIs. Brice Turang, the leadoff hitter, ranks third in the MLB for stolen bases with 37, trailing only Elly De La Cruz and Shohei Ohtani. Serving as Milwaukee’s second baseman, Turang has seven home runs and 50 RBIs, with a .255 batting average.
Aaron Civale will take the mound for his ninth start with the Brewers, having previously pitched 17 games for Tampa Bay before a midseason trade. Although his record stands at 4-8, the team has triumphed in each of his last three starts. His ERA is currently 4.84, with 120 strikeouts against 44 walks, and he has allowed 24 home runs this year. In his latest outing, Civale pitched four innings, surrendering three earned runs to the Athletics, yet his team secured an 11-3 victory, showcasing the strength of their offense.
Best Bets for San Francisco Giants vs. Milwaukee Brewers
The San Francisco Giants have been in a precarious position recently, engaged in tightly contested games that have seen them win some and lose others, but they lack consistent performance. Conversely, the Milwaukee Brewers are establishing themselves as a formidable force in the National League, with a genuine opportunity to finish with the best overall record. The Giants will rely on rookie pitcher Birdsong, who has struggled in his recent outings. The Giants have dropped their last four games with Birdsong on the mound, including matches where he allowed five earned runs to the Tigers and seven to the Nationals. His strikeout-to-walk ratio is concerning, standing at just 54/26. On the other hand, Civale has found his footing with the Brewers, leading to victories in his last three starts, including a standout six-inning scoreless performance against the Guardians. The Brewers appear to hold the upper hand, and the Giants may struggle to keep this game competitive.
