Giants vs. Diamondbacks: Game 1 predictions, odds and picks — Sept 23, MLB 2024

On Monday, the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks will start a three-game set that will serve as the penultimate series of the season for both clubs. Although the two franchises have vastly different plans for the next month, each will be hoping to come away with some wins.

While Arizona looks set on heading to the postseason, San Francisco is out for the seventh time in the past eight years. Monday's game is slated to commence at 6:40 pm PT from Chase Field in Arizona.

Giants vs Diamondbacks - Recent form and records

Now 77-79, the Giants will miss the postseason for yet another season. In addition to being 16 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, Bob Melvin's team is also 10 games out of the third and final NL Wild Card spot. 5-5 over their last 10, the Giants are coming off a weekend series that saw them sweep the Kansas City Royals.

For the Diamondbacks, things are better. Manager Torey Lovullo's club has the fifth-best record in MLB since August 1. Currently 87-69, and also 5-5 in their last 10, Arizona is currently tied with the New York Mets for the second NL Wild Card berth.

"Updated NL Wild Card #LGM" - Ryan Field

Players to Watch

Starting Pitchers

SFG: Hayden Birdsong (4-5, 4.74 ERA) vs AZ: Eduardo Rodriguez (3-3, 5.09 ERA)

Birdsong has a 1.388 WHIP, 5.5 BB/9 and 71 K in 62.2 IP.

Last Start: Win, 5.2 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K vs BAL

Career vs AZ: 0-1 6.00 ERA (3 IP, 2 ER) 1 HR in one game

Rodriguez has a 1.451 WHIP, 3.1 BB/9 and 36 K in 40.2 IP.

Last Start: Win, 6.1 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 11 K vs COL

Career vs SFG: 1-0 1.50 ERA (6 IP, 1 ER) 0 HR in one game

Must-Watch Hitters

San Francisco

Mike Yastrzemski has hit just .195 over his past 11 games, but the outfielder has found a way to make his limited hits count. Throughout those 11 games, Yastrzemski had 5 home runs and 11 RBIs on eight hits, and touts a team-best .868 OPS.

"Mike Yastrzemski - San Francisco Giants (18)" - MLB HR Videos

Michael Conforto had a tremendous series against the Baltimore Orioles last week, pummeling 2 home runs and 5 RBIs in three games against the AL East contenders. Moreover, Conforto is 7 for his last 21 with three runs scored.

Arizona

Over the past two weeks, Ketel Marte's 1.172 OPS ranks 5th in MLB. Having already set career figures in home runs and RBIs - with 35 and 93 respectively - Marte has 5 home runs and 12 RBIs, alongside nine walks, in his last 12 games.

"3 straight games with a long ball. 35 home runs on the season. Ketel Marte is MASHING right now" - MLB

In addition to some strong defensive play in the outfield, Pavin Smith has been solid in the box. A .281 hitter on the season, Smith is a .308 hitter with six doubles and seven RBIs in his past 12 games.

A .333 hitter over the past two weeks, Eugenio Suarez remains an ever-present threat. In his career against the Giants, Suarez is a .265 hitter with 12 home runs and 30 RBIs.

Giants vs Diamondbacks baseball betting odds

Giants vs Diamondbacks expert picks and game prediction

Of the 10 games played between the pair of NL West clubs thus far, the Arizona Diamondbacks have emerged victorious on six occasions. With Arizona very keen to keep themselves in the NL Wild Card race, expect the Snakes to bring quite a fight.

Over the past 30 days, the 79 runs scored by the D-Backs ranks second in MLB. Meanwhile, the Giants rank 18th, with 49 scored in that period. Moreover, the fact that Arizona has a veteran in Eduardo Rodriguez against Giants rookie Hayden Birdsong is another boon for the D-Backs.

Run Line: +1.5 -135

Total Runs: O 9 -105

Prediction: Arizona W, 8-4