In 15 games since the All Star Break, the San Francisco Giants have averaged just shy of five runs per game, well above their full season average.  On the road, away from pitcher friendly AT&T Park, the Giants have cashed only three Unders in nine tries since the break.  Two of those three Unders came in early start road games; often bad news for West Coast teams -- two games where the Giants combined to score only three runs.  At night, on the highway, this lineup is clicking on all cylinders now that they’ve gotten back to full health; capable of approaching or exceeding this total all by themselves.

Atlanta’s lineup broke out of an ice cold funk yesterday, hanging six runs on the Phillies.  With a healthy Freddie Freeman back in the middle of the batting order, this lineup is significantly more potent than it had been during the month that he was sitting out with his bum wrist. 

Both starters are suspect tonight, as are the bullpens behind them.  Mike Foltynewicz was removed from the Braves rotation in mid-June and sent down to the minors twice before the All Star Break.  Only four of his ten previous starts this year have been of the ‘quality’ variety, and the Giants have already seen him once, not an unfamiliar young hurler any more.  Behind Foltynewicz, Atlanta’s bullpen has been overworked without a day off over the past ten days; and often ineffective even when rested, more than capable of throwing gas on any late inning fires.

Matt Cain has been inconsistent in five starts since his return from a year long absence due to elbow trouble.  He shut down the light hitting Mets and Padres, but this other three starts haven’t been pretty, allowing four or more runs on all three occasions while struggling to get ground ball outs.  Behind Cain, the Giants bullpen got used up in the heat and humidity of Texas this past weekend, with gametime temperatures expected in the low 90’s again tonight.  Take the Over.