The set-up: This series features a couple of interesting match-ups on the mound and this is definitely one of them in my opinion. For a number of different reasons though, I think this one favors the Giants. The visitors hand the ball to Ivan Nova, while the home side goes with Andrew Suarez.


The pitchers: Nova is so far 6-6 with a 4.49 ERA. He most recently gave up four runs off eight hits with three walks over four innings in a fortunate no-decision to the Cards on Saturday. Nova comes in struggling across the board, having posted a terrible 5.81 ERA, 1.71 WHIP and pedestrian 17:10 K/BB over his last 31 frames of work. Note that he owns a poor 5.40 ERA on the road as well.


Suarez is so far 4-7 with a 4.60 ERA. Suarez comes off an outing to forget against the Diamondbacks on Saturday, giving up eight runs off ten hits over five innings. Suarez has struggled a bit of late as well, but he has to be feeling confident that he can bounce back in friendly confines as he owns a very respectable 3.64 ERA at home so far.


The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but San Fran is a solid 19-12 in its last 31 as a home favorite in the -125 to -175 range. I think Suarez settles down at home, while Nova once again looks poised for a long-night. Lay the price, play on the Giants.