Well, this series got started on Monday, but round one between the San Francisco Giants (52-41) and Cincinnati Reds (50-44) was suspended in the eighth inning. So, Tuesday will provide two results (weather pending) before this Wednesday battle of the four-game series. Both sides are fighting for an NL wild-card spot at least and hopefully, their division crown, meaning that these games are very significant. If everything is back on track, the third game of the week will start at 7:10 p.m. EDT. Cincinnati's Great American Ball Park will play host in front of a lively crowd.
Joc y Conforto haciendo lo de ellos ?? pic.twitter.com/0uAg7Hd2sQ
— SF Gigantes (@SFGigantes) July 18, 2023
Walking into Cincinnati this week, the Giants had a five-game winning streak. By the end of Tuesday night, the goal is for it to reach seven. Pitching has been at the forefront of the streak, which has San Francisco only a pair of games out of first place in the NL West. They only gave up 12 total runs during the winning streak, an impressive stretch that Ross Stripling will try to extend. Stripling hasn't had the best season, With a 6.11 ERA and 5.74 FIP after 45.2 innings. He's bounced between the rotation and the bullpen, never tossing more than 5.0 innings in an appearance. Stripling has been sharper since returning in late June, allowing five runs over 13.1 innings. However, the Giants have only won in three of his 13 outings this season.
Surprisingly, the Giants' offense has struggled in July, only outscoring one team on a per-game basis. Still, they began the series 13th in runs per game during the 2023 season at a 4.66 clip. Ranking ninth in walk rate and 13th in homers (despite a massive home park), those are two true outcomes that typically win the Giants ballgames. With a strikeout rate that's 26th and the third-fewest stolen bases, there's not much small ball going on in San Francisco. How they succeed makes them prone to extreme streaks. When they're hot, it's incredible and when they're not, things can be rough. Cincinnati's generous dimensions may help them throughout the week.