San Francisco Giants - San Diego Padres

The San Francisco Giants send Madison Bumgarner to the mound for Game 2 on Saturday against Jarred Cosart and the Padres, as San Francisco continues to try to position itself for a National League Wild Card spot. Bumgarner is coming off 7 shutout innings vs. LA Dodgers- he struck out 10 in a no-decision. He has shown no signs of slowing down, having posted a 3.16 ERA in his 4 September starts. Madison is solid- the only hope for the Giants to turn things around in the remaining games of the regular season. Bumgarner has pitched at Petco Park [San Diego] total of 13 games in his career, and he has posted a 3.27 ERA, having 77 strikeouts, and a record of 10-7.  San Diego starting pitcher Jarred Cosart was shaky in his last start by allowing a five-run outing at Coors Field where he lasted only 3 2/3 innings.  In his three September starts, Cosart has been unable to pitch deeper than 4 1/3 innings. The Giants are one game behind the Mets for the first NL Wild Card berth and are tied for the second spot with St. Louis, who beat the Cubs, 10-4, on Saturday.  With that said, I am picking the San Francisco Giants with the spread of (+1.5) Runs.

UPDATE September 25, 2016 - FINAL Result: San Francisco Giants  9-6  San Diego Padres.  The Giants are "battling for their lives"  in every game now, until the end of the regular season, in order to make the Playoffs:  San Francisco earned a 9-6 victory over the Padres and a share of the lead with the Mets [who lost 8-10 from the Phillies] in the National League's crowded Wild Card race Saturday. The Gaints' hero was Denard Span, who hit a 2-run homer [his 11th for the season] in the 10th. San Francisco rebounded after squandering a 6-0 lead, it built through its half of the 4th inning.  Madison Bumgarner, the San Francisco's ace, didn't have his best game, despite the fact, he recorded his 245th strikeout of the season, a franchise record for left-handers. He gave up 5 hits in 6 innings. The Giants' important win tied them with the Mets for the 1st place in the NL Wild Card standings - both teams now at 82-73.