Pittsburgh @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 11, 2019 ) Pittsburgh 6, San Francisco 3

The Pittsburgh Pirates figure to have several position battles next season, but any questions about the starting shortstop may have already been answered. Kevin Newman appears to have emerged as a long-term solution for the Pirates, who visit the San Francisco Giants on Thursday in the finale of a four-game series.

Jose Osuna went 2-for-4 with three runs scored in Wednesday’s 6-3 victory while the 26-year-old Newman extended his hitting streak to seven games and continued to impress in his rookie season. Newman has hit safely in each of his last 17 road contests for the Pirates, who have taken two of their first three games of the series with closer Felipe Vasquez recording saves in both victories. The Giants were held to three hits in Wednesday’s loss and used six relievers in support of rookie Logan Webb, who pitched into the fifth inning. First baseman Brandon Belt went 0-for-3 while batting third and has six hits in 34 at-bats over 11 games this month.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Joe Musgrove (9-12, 4.67 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (10-11, 3.64)

Musgrove is hoping to make his first appearance since Aug. 31, when he allowed three runs in six innings at Colorado. The 26-year-old native San Diegan missed his last start because of a sore right foot and could be replaced Thursday by rookie Alex McRae if he experiences any discomfort before the game. Evan Longoria is hitless in seven at-bats against Musgrove, who gave up four runs (three earned) over six innings in his only previous start versus the Giants on Aug. 12, 2018.

Samardzija bounced back from a rough outing against San Diego by giving up three runs over six innings in last Friday’s 5-4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 34-year-old native of Indiana has reached double-digit victories for a third time in his career and for the first time since his first year as a Giant in 2016, when he won a career-best 12 games. Samardzija is 6-4 with a 3.06 ERA in 26 career games (15 starts) versus the Pirates.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy sits at 1,996 wins for his managerial career, needing four more to reach the 2,000 mark.

2. Pittsburgh CF Starling Marte (sprained left wrist) has been limited to pinch-running duties for the past three games and is not expected to rejoin the starting lineup this week.

3. Giants closer Will Smith (back inflammation) will resume throwing Thursday and could be available this weekend.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Pirates 4