2014 MLB Playoff Wild-Card Game Picks: San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates – Free Wild-Card Game Picks: The 2014 MLB playoffs began Tuesday with the American League wild-card game between the Oakland Athletics and Kansas City Royals, and the final spot in the divisional series will be decided Wednesday when the San Francisco Giants take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. The one-game, winner-take-all format of the wild-card games make them the ultimate pressure-packed situations, and it places extra importance on securing a division title. With that in mind, here is a closer look at the wild-card matchup tonight in the National League.
NL Wild-Card Game: San Francisco Giants at Pittsburgh Pirates
On paper, these two teams are practically identical. The Giants finished the year 88-74, and they scored 4.1 runs per game to go along with a .255 team average and a 3.50 team ERA. The Pirates finished the year with an identical average and averaged 4.2 runs per game to go along with a .259 team average and a 3.47 team ERA. The Pirates won the season series 4-2 with the last meeting coming in late July, and both teams closed the year strong. San Francisco will send left Madison Bumgarner to the mound in Wednesday’s wild-card matchup, and Pittsburgh will counter with Edinson Volquez.
Although neither team has been an offensive juggernaut this season, both sides have former MVPs anchoring their lineups. San Francisco catcher Buster Posey has been on a tear to close the year, and Pittsburgh outfielder Andrew McCutchen has been equally hot for the Pirates. However, the Giants’ lineup could have the edge when it comes to a supporting cast thanks to the recent resurgence of third baseman Pablo Sandoval, who was looked fully recovered from his injury over the final week of the season. Not to mention the fact that San Francisco’s roster is littered with players with plenty of playoff experience. In the end, the Pirates could end up regretting using Gerrit Cole in the final game of the regular season. Yes, Volquez has been solid this year, but Cole has the better stuff, and Volquez can be prone to bouts of wildness. With San Francisco sending one of the best and most consistent starters in the game to the mound, the Pirates simply have no margin for error.
Prediction: San Francisco Giants Win the NL Wild-Card Game
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