The set-up: In a contest which I envision being decided late or in extra's, I'm going to lay what I feel to be a very reasonable price for the extra 1.5 runs of insurance. The Giants go with Jeff Samardzija, while the home side goes with Logan Allen on the mound this evening.

The pitchers: Samardzija (4-7, 4.52 ERA) has an 8-3 record vs. the Friars with a 3.46 ERA lifetime (he's 4-2 with a 2.44 ERA in nine appearances at Petco Park).

Allen (2-0, 1.38) has made two big league starts. Clearly the sample size is much too small to draw any real conclusions.

The pick: Take it for what you will as well, but San Diego is just 2-5 in its last seven as a home favorite in the -125 to -165 range. While I do in fact believe the outright win is possible, in the end I'll recommend grabbing the 1.5 runs in this particular matchup.

1* Free Play on Giants Run Line.