Giants vs. Guardians Prediction and Odds for Sunday, April 17 (Over Screaming With Value)

The 6-2 San Francisco Giants bring a four-game winning streak into Cleveland today as they square off against the 4-4 Guardians at 1:40 PM EST.

Aaron Civale is tasked with slowing the Giants down for Cleveland. He struggled against Kansas City in his first start, lasting only 3.1 innings as he struggled with command, walking three and giving up four total runs (two earned).

San Francisco will send Alex Wood out to keep the winning streak alive. Wood surrendered two runs in 4.1 innings against the Pirates in his inaugural outing of 2022, but struck out six batters.

Can the Guardians salvage a game in this three-game series or will the Giants get the brooms out on a beautiful Sunday?

Let's take a gander at the odds from WynnBET to help pick a winner in this Giants vs Guardians matchup:

Giants vs Guardians Odds, Run Line and Total

Run Line:

• Giants: -1.5 (+130)
• Guardians: +1.5 (-160)

Moneyline:

• Giants: -120
• Guardians: +110

Total:

• 7.5 (Over +100/Under -120)

Giants vs Guardians Prediction and Pick

I know the under has hit in three straight Giants games as they've given up just four total runs in that span, but this total feels way too low. Civale and Wood are fine pitchers, bordering on good to great, but 7.5 is usually reserved for elite pitching matchups. This is decidedly not that.

Civale managed a terrible 5.74 ERA in six September starts last year and hardly quieted the concerns in his first outing this year against the Royals. Wood closed the 2021 campaign by not allowing more than two runs in six straight starts, but the Guardians bats are overdue for a breakout.

Cleveland leads the MLB in OBS and scored 27 runs in three games before managing just three in the two opening games against the Giants. Their offense is significantly better than Pittsburgh's, and the Pirates were able to knock Wood around a bit.

This total should be more like 8.5, so to get plus money on the over 7.5 is enticing, indeed. The wind is coming in from center field today, but it's not overpowering so the bats should still be able to generate some power. Give me the over as we underreact to the first two games of the series.

Pick: Over 7.5 (+100)

Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.