Pittsburgh will look to improve on its 11-13 record when take on San Francisco, a key part of the MLB odds lineup on Thursday.

Ryan Vogelsong, with a record of 0-0 on the season, gets the ball for the Giants, while the Pirates trot Jeff Karstens to the mound in this one. He is 1-0 so far in 2011.



View San Francisco vs Pittsburgh Odds and Stats.

Betting Line:
If you're backing the visitors in this one, you'll find the Giants listed as underdogs of -105 at most sportsbooks. Total bettors saw the number open in the area of 8.5, depending on the book.

Power Rankings:
The Odds Shark MLB Power Rankings have the Pirates at No. 15 in the National League and the Giants at No. 8 in the National League heading into this contest.



How They Match Up:
Scoring stats point to some edges in this matchup. The game features Pittsburgh's National League No. 15-ranked scoring average of 3.5 runs per game, against a Giants offense rated No. 13 and scoring 3.9 runs per game in the league. The Pirates have averaged 7.8 hits per game to date this season, less than the Giants hitters have managed (8.3 per nine innings).

Pitching and defensive stats are important baseball handicapping factors and Pittsburgh has the National League's No. 9-ranked defense. In the other dugout, the Giants own the National League's No. 6 mark in runs allowed.

Last time out for San Francisco, they were a 2-0 loser as they battled the Pirates on the road. Moneyline bettors who got the Pirates at +102 were rewarded, while the 2 combined runs moved the game UNDER for totals bettors. San Francisco didn't plate a single run in their last outing, shut down by James McDonald in a losing cause, 2-0, against Pittsburgh on Wednesday.




San Francisco Giants Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 7-3
Before playing Washington are 6-4
After playing Pittsburgh are 6-4
After a loss are 5-5

Pittsburgh Pirates Trends:
When playing on Thursday are 5-5
Before playing Colorado are 6-4
After playing San Francisco are 5-5
After a win are 2-8

A few Giants at Pirates trends to consider:
San Francisco is 9-3 SU in its last 12 games when playing Pittsburgh
The total has gone OVER in 6 of San Francisco's last 9 games
San Francisco is 6-3 SU in its last 9 games on the road
The total has gone OVER in 4 of San Francisco's last 6 games on the road
The total has gone UNDER in 5 of Pittsburgh's last 7 games at home
Pittsburgh is 3-6 SU in its last 9 games at home
Pittsburgh is 2-4 SU in its last 6 games when playing at home against San Francisco
Pittsburgh is 3-9 SU in its last 12 games when playing San Francisco


Next up:
San Francisco at Washington, Friday, April 29
Pittsburgh at Colorado, Friday, April 29