The San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks are set to clash in game one of their three-game series on Monday night in Arizona. With the Giants now playing the role of spoilers, they have the opportunity to hinder the Diamondbacks’ quest for one of the three available National League wildcard spots. The pitching duel will showcase the Giants’ rookie right-hander Hayden Birdsong (4-5, 4.74 ERA) against the Diamondbacks’ experienced lefty Eduardo Rodriguez (3-3, 5.09 ERA). Fans can expect the first pitch at 9:40 pm EST.
Giants Turn to Promising Rookie Birdsong
The San Francisco Giants have faced a challenging season in 2024. After showing potential for a playoff run in July, their performance dipped sharply in August, leaving them on the fringes of contention. Now, they aim to conclude the season strongly while potentially derailing the Diamondbacks’ postseason ambitions. Recently, the Giants played spoiler against the Kansas City Royals, winning the first two games of their series. In a tight contest on Sunday, Blake Snell secured a victory, throwing six scoreless innings and striking out nine batters.
The Giants will rely on Hayden Birdsong for the series opener. This rookie has had a mixed season, compiling a 4-5 record with a 4.74 ERA over 14 starts. Despite showing promise with 71 strikeouts in 62.2 innings, he has struggled with consistency, recording only one quality start and allowing 10 home runs. The Giants have faced difficulties recently, losing four of Birdsong’s last five outings.
Key Injuries: Starting pitcher Jordan Hicks and catcher Tom Murphy are currently sidelined.
Diamondbacks Rely on Seasoned Lefty Rodriguez
The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a heated race for one of the three wildcard playoff spots as the season approaches its conclusion. Currently, the San Diego Padres are leading the wildcard chase, closely followed by the Diamondbacks and New York Mets. The Atlanta Braves are not far behind, making the competition fierce. Over the weekend, Arizona secured two wins against the Milwaukee Brewers, although they narrowly missed a sweep after a late-game collapse in the finale, losing 10-9 despite leading by eight runs at one point.
For Monday’s opener, the Diamondbacks will call upon veteran Eduardo Rodriguez. After missing a significant part of the season, Rodriguez has made eight starts and has a 3-3 record with a 5.03 ERA. His return has required adjustments, as he has shifted to a pitch-to-contact approach due to decreased velocity. The Diamondbacks have struggled in Rodriguez’s recent starts, losing three of his last five games.
Key Injuries: The team will be without starting pitcher Ryne Nelson and relievers Paul Sewald, Bryce Jarvis, and Drew Jameson.
Best Bets for Giants vs. Diamondbacks Showdown
The expectation is that Eduardo Rodriguez will guide the Diamondbacks to victory in this matchup. While he may not be the dominant force he once was, his experience and strategic adjustments are valuable assets. Birdsong, while capable of racking up strikeouts, has struggled to pitch deep into games, with just one quality start to his name this season. His tendency to give up home runs could be problematic in Arizona, where the environment favors hitters and the ball tends to travel well. Although the Giants have shown signs of improvement, the Diamondbacks are under pressure to perform, drawing on their experience from last year’s World Series run. Rodriguez’s past in high-stakes situations, including his time with the 2018 World Series Champion Boston Red Sox, adds to the confidence in the Diamondbacks. They are likely to capitalize on his steady presence on the mound and the offensive potential of their lineup.
Bet on Arizona to win this matchup.
