San Diego Padres vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (7:05 pm ET, FSN)
Pittsburgh Pirates has to win Game 3 (7:05 pm ET, FSN) against San Diego Padres, after losing both the games. Game 3 will be held on Saturday, at the PNC Park, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Padres have a 56-39 home, 26-20 away record whereas the Pirates have a 34-62 away, 23-24 home record. The Padres lead the three game series by 2-0. Can the Pirates take game 3 of the series or does this make for some bad online betting?
Mat Latos injury was as unexpected as his quick success. He was the midst of an outstanding run. Latos (10-4, 2.45 ERA) is responsible to put San Diego (56-39) into first place in the NL West by strong pitching. Last year, Latos had 10 inconsistent starts. He has become one of the majors’ top young pitchers. In 106 2/3 innings, the 22-year-old right-hander has struck out 99. Before a strained left oblique landed him on the 15-day DL, Latos was 5-0 with a 1.12 ERA in six starts.
On Friday night, the Pirates were beaten 5-3 in the opener of this three-game set, San Diego got yet another effective effort from its pitchers. Adrian Gonzalez, Padres first baseman is 1 for 13 over his past four contests. In his last 17 games against Pittsburgh (34-62), he has 19 RBIs. At Pittsburgh, the Padres have won 22 of their last 31 games.
Jeff Karstens (2-5, 4.84) will now get the ball from Pittsburgh. In his past three outings, he is 0-2 with a 6.35 ERA. This is his first start against the Padres. Surrendering five runs in 2 1/3 innings, he has faced them twice in relief. After scoring five runs over their last two games, the Pirates’ lineup will try to give him some support.
Following a 16-for-27 (.593) stretch, Pittsburgh rookie Neil Walker went 0 for 3. He entered this series batting .400 in 21 home games.
