Baseball fans, get ready for an exciting three-game series as the San Francisco Giants head to Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates. After a rough stretch, the Giants are hoping to turn things around against a Pirates team that's been playing solid ball this season.
On the mound for San Francisco is lefty Robbie Ray, making his eighth start of the year. The two-time All-Star has had an up-and-down season so far, sitting at 2-4 with a 2.95 ERA and a 4.47 FIP. In 39.2 innings, he's racked up 40 strikeouts against 14 walks—a solid K/BB ratio. His last outing against the Tampa Bay Rays was a mixed bag: he allowed three runs over 6.1 innings but kept his team in the game. Ray will look to find his groove and give the Giants a much-needed boost.
Opposing him is Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski, a 27-year-old in his fourth big-league season. In seven appearances (six starts), Mlodzinski is 2-2 with a 4.76 ERA but an impressive 2.49 FIP, suggesting he's pitched better than his numbers show. He's struck out 40 batters in 34 innings while walking 13. However, the young righty has hit a rough patch recently, allowing five runs in each of his last three starts. The Giants' lineup will be eager to exploit that trend.
Here's the matchup at a glance:
Who: San Francisco Giants (14-23) vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (21-17)
Regional broadcast: NBC Sports Bay Area and KNTV
Whether you're tuning in to see Ray's comeback or Mlodzinski's bounce-back, this series promises plenty of action. And for fans looking to rep their team in style, don't forget to gear up with fresh Giants or Pirates apparel—perfect for game day or any day.
