Diamondbacks Better Bet vs Giants, Sept. 19
This two-game series between the San Francisco Giants and Arizona Diamondbacks could have a lot of impact on MLB lines in the future. The two division rivals may no longer have a chance at the National League West title, but both teams could wind up in the playoffs through the Wild Card.
The Los Angeles Dodgers officially secured the NL West, leaving only the Wild Card for the Giants or Diamondbacks to make the playoffs. Arizona is already holding the second Wild Card, with a half-game lead over the last spot. However, San Francisco has some work to do, sitting two games out of a Wild Card.
Starting Pitching
Alex Cobb (7-6, 3.62 ERA) vs Zac Gallen (15-8, 3.50)
With two elite starting pitchers on the mound, that does open the door to some MLB player props.
For the Giants, Alex Cobb will be getting the start, but has been struggling slightly as the end of the season approaches. His last start, in which he gave up two unearned runs in five innings, could be slowly getting him back on the right track. Dealing with an ailing hip, Cobb has only allowed more than two runs once in his last four starts, which includes a complete game in which he gave up one hit and one run.
2023 NL SO Leaders:
Spencer Strider (259)
Blake Snell (217)
Freddy Peralta (200)
Zac Gallen (199)All Leaders: https://t.co/HSOwI2iGu3 pic.twitter.com/0OwBVWAcJF
— Baseball Reference (@baseball_ref) September 16, 2023
The Diamondbacks will have Zac Gallen starting, and he might be the better option for MLB props. However, he has also not been the most reliable in recent outings. In Gallen’s last start, he allowed seven runs in five innings. But in the appearance before that, he pitched a complete-game shutout with nine strikeouts and only allowing four base runners. On top of that, he has struck out six batters in each of his two starts against the Giants.
Best MLB Prop Bets: Zac Gallen Strikeouts Over 5.5 (-105)
Odds Against Giants
MLB odds are still not sold on the Giants being able to make the playoffs, and their last series backed that up. They lost three of four against the Colorado Rockies, who are at the bottom of the NL and are one of the worst teams in the NL.
It was a series that the Giants should have won to help close the gap in the Wild Card race, but they squandered the opportunity. That puts much more pressure on this series for San Francisco, with seven more games against the Dodgers. The Giants will likely be underdogs for most of them in MLB spreads.
Even in the one win over the Rockies, the Giants did not provide MLB betting with much confidence. They won 11-10, allowing 10 runs to a lineup that has struggled for most of the season.
Diamondbacks Should Continue Winning Ways
In the Diamondbacks’ last series, they swept the Chicago Cubs, a big achievement for the team. The Cubs are in the Wild Card race alongside the Diamondbacks and are now the third Wild Card team. The sweep put Arizona over Chicago in the standings. On top of that, the Diamondbacks won six of seven games against the Cubs, having played them in two of the last three series.
It was an excellent series for the Arizona lineup, which scored at least six runs in each of the games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was the primary catalyst of it all. He finished the series with seven runs batted in and a homer. That hot play could carry over to this series, making him a great option for MLB prop bets on September 19.
Giants vs Diamondbacks Best Bet
At the moment, the Diamondbacks start this game as the better team. Their offense has been more reliable recently, and while neither pitcher has been consistent, Gallen has had success against the Giants. The Giants need this win more, but their playoff hopes took a major hit after the series loss to the Rockies.
MLB Best Bet: Arizona Diamondbacks (-137)
Giants vs Diamondbacks Game Information
• Game: Giants (76-74) vs Diamondbacks (79-72)
• Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
• Day/Time: Tuesday, Sept. 19, 9:40 p.m. ET
• Giants vs Diamondbacks Live Stream: MLB.tv
