2025-04-23 Brewers at Giants Matchup Preview

Pitching Matchup: Peralta vs. Hancock

Freddy Peralta takes the mound for the Milwaukee Brewers, bringing his repertoire to San Francisco. Peralta's effectiveness hinges on his ability to command his fastball and slider, keeping hitters off balance with varying velocities and movement. For the San Francisco Giants, Emerson Hancock will be tasked with shutting down a Brewers lineup that has shown some potency early in the season. Hancock relies on command and control, trying to induce weak contact and keep the ball in the yard.

Brewers' Offensive Outlook

The Brewers' offense is led by a group of hitters who are in their late 20s and are looking to continue their early success this season. The Brewers have posted a team linear weights runs created that suggests a capable offense, and their weighted on-base average is a testament to their ability to get on base and score runs. Peralta will look to leverage his strikeout ability to neutralize the Brewers' bats and get them out of their rhythm.

Giants' Offensive Outlook

The Giants' offense is spearheaded by veterans, with the team's average age being slightly higher than the Brewers. The Giants have also shown some offensive prowess with their linear weights runs created, but their weighted on-base average shows that they are slightly behind the Brewers' output. Hancock hopes to pitch to contact effectively against the Brewers lineup, while the Giants' hitters will try to improve their contact to put the ball in play and get on base.

Peralta's Arsenal vs. Brewers' Hitting Profile

Peralta's ability to miss bats will be crucial against a Brewers lineup that doesn't strike out at a high rate. If he can locate his fastball effectively and generate swings and misses with his slider, he can neutralize the Brewers' ability to string together hits. Given the Brewers' potential to accumulate base runners, Peralta's effectiveness will be measured by his ability to pitch out of any jams and limit the damage.

Hancock's Approach vs. Giants' Hitting Profile

Hancock will need to command the strike zone against a Giants lineup that doesn't walk often. His goal should be to induce weak contact and rely on his defense to make plays. Hancock's success will depend on his ability to keep the ball down in the zone and avoid giving up extra-base hits.

Bullpen Considerations

Both teams have bullpens that have been reliable but not overly dominant this season. The Brewers' bullpen has shown a slightly better ability to miss bats, while the Giants' bullpen has been more effective at limiting walks. Late in the game, the Brewers' ability to generate strikeouts could give them an edge, while the Giants will rely on their relievers to command the strike zone and induce ground balls.

Overall Game Dynamics

The game is expected to be a tightly contested affair, with both starting pitchers looking to establish dominance early. The Brewers' offense has shown slightly more firepower than the Giants, and Peralta's ability to miss bats could give them an advantage. However, Oracle Park is known to be a pitcher-friendly ballpark, and Hancock's command and control could keep the Giants in the game. The outcome may very well depend on which team can capitalize on scoring opportunities and which bullpen can hold the lead late in the game.