Sportsgrid-Staff

Justin Verlander & Robbie Ray Start fro Giants This Weekend

<h1 class="" data-start="224" data-end="318">Justin Verlander and Robbie Ray Take the Hill: San Francisco Giants Banking on Veterans Against Cincinnati Reds&#8217; Hit-or-Miss Lineup</h1>
This weekend, the Giants turn to two names that were once headliners—Verlander and Ray—to anchor their rotation in a series against the Reds. It’s a classic “prove it” series for the aging aces and a potential trap for bettors who aren’t reading between the lines.
<h2 class="" data-start="633" data-end="692">Giants Betting on Experience—But Is There Anything Left?</h2>
The Giants entered 2025 with a clear plan: stack the rotation with veteran upside and hope at least two of them hit. Verlander and Ray, both on the wrong side of 35, are central to that strategy.
<ul data-start="895" data-end="1381">
<li class="" data-start="895" data-end="1121">
Verlander is making his first start of the season after a spring training full of cautious optimism. The velocity is down a tick, the command looked fine in his debut, and he’s still finding ways to induce weak contact.
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1122" data-end="1381">
Ray, fresh off Tommy John surgery, is making his season debut. He was a late-round flier in most fantasy drafts, but once won a Cy Young for a reason. The fastball-slider combo was electric before the injury—now we wait to see if it’s still there.
</li>
</ul>
The matchup may look favorable on paper, but bettors should be wary.
<h2 class="" data-start="1453" data-end="1527">Cincinnati Factor: Great American Ball Park Is a Nightmare for Pitchers</h2>
You said it—and you’re right. Betting in Cincinnati is always a gamble, especially when you’re talking about older arms or guys making their first real start post-rehab.
Great American Ball Park remains one of the league’s most dangerous venues for pitchers:
<ul data-start="1793" data-end="1973">
<li class="" data-start="1793" data-end="1842">
Top three in home run rate for the past two seasons
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1843" data-end="1879">
Warm weather expected this weekend
</li>
<li class="" data-start="1880" data-end="1973">
Lineup depth that includes Elly De La Cruz, Spencer Steer, and Christian Encarnacion-Strand
</li>
</ul>
Even a quality start can unravel with one mistake here, which is why cautious bettors might fade all starters in this series—or stick to overs.
<h2 class="" data-start="2120" data-end="2177">Betting Angles: Overs, Strikeout Props, and Fade Spots</h2>
Here’s how to approach the weekend slate from a betting perspective:
<ul data-start="2249" data-end="2838">
<li class="" data-start="2249" data-end="2404">
Avoid First 5 Unders: Even if you trust Verlander or Ray, there’s too much risk here. Both have command questions, and Cincinnati can pounce quickly.
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2405" data-end="2573">
Live Betting Opportunities: This could be a “watch and react” series. If Verlander or Ray look sharp early, you might get value on a live under once totals spike.
</li>
<li class="" data-start="2574" data-end="2838">
Strikeout Props: Verlander’s line is likely to sit around 4.5–5.5 Ks. With the Reds’ aggressive bats, the over could be sneaky value. For Ray, if the number is under 4, that may be worth a speculative play—he always was a swing-and-miss machine when healthy.
</li>
</ul>
<h2 class="" data-start="2840" data-end="2882">Fantasy Insight: Watch, Don’t Start—Yet</h2>
Neither of these pitchers should be locked into your fantasy lineup this weekend unless you’re in a deep league or desperate for innings.
<ul data-start="3023" data-end="3263">
<li class="" data-start="3023" data-end="3133">
Verlander could still offer mid-rotation value if he stays healthy, but don’t expect vintage JV anymore.
</li>
<li class="" data-start="3134" data-end="3263">
Ray is a stash-and-see candidate. Don’t judge him too harshly if he struggles in a tough ballpark coming off major surgery.
</li>
</ul>
This weekend is less about results and more about process—velocity, command, pitch mix, and stamina.
<hr class="" data-start="3371" data-end="3374" />
Bottom Line: 
This isn’t a series to bet big. If anything, this is a spot to observe, adjust your expectations, and prepare for future opportunities. The Giants&#8217; season may hinge on whether these vets can rediscover even a fraction of their past dominance—and Sunday might give us the first real answers.
Let me know if you’d like follow-up coverage after their starts, or a deeper dive on Giants rotation futures or season win total bets.
You can read all about what&#8217;s going on in Major League Baseball at <a href="https://www.sportsgrid.com/nfl" target='_blank' rel="noopener">SportsGrid.com</a>.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;

Justin Verlander and Robbie Ray Start for the San Francisco Giants This Weekend

Los Angeles Dodgers' Freddie Freeman twists an ankle in the shower and is out. Despite the injury, the Dodgers remain favorites over the Atlanta Braves.

Freddie Freeman's Unfortunate Accident and Game Prediction

The Los Angeles Dodgers have a five-game winning streak while starting pitcher Tyler Glasnow gears up for his debut as Freddie Freeman is out injured.

Dodgers Maintain 5-0 Streak, Tyler Glasnow Now Debuts Tonight

Why do teams like the Athletics hide identities uncovers deep issues regarding sports franchises' respect for host cities as the A's won't be called Sacramento.

The Sacramento Athletics Controversy: Disrespect in Sports

LATEST VIDEOS

Christian Encarnacion-Strand,Elly De La Cruz,Spencer Steer,Justin Verlander,Robbie Ray,Cincinnati Reds,Cincinnati  OH,National League,National League Central,San Francisco Giants,San Francisco  CA,National League West

keywords

twitter:card

twitter:title

https://sg-images-bucket.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/thumnbail-webp/article/2072007-1920x1080.webp?v=1743493076

twitter:image

thumbnail

google

This weekend could go a long way towards determining the fate of the San Francisco Giants this season as both Justin Verlander and Robbie Ray will start

description

expires

robots

og:locale

og:site_name

og:type

og:title

og:description

og:image

og:image:type

og:image:width

og:image:height

og:image:secure_url

article:published_time

article:modified_time

Fernando Tatis Jr. Surprises as San Diego Padres' Leadoff Hitter

All Eyes on Jacob deGrom's Sunday Start for the Texas Rangers

Philadelphia Phillies vs. Washington Nationals: A Preview of the Weekend's Game

Fantasy Baseball Alert: Jackson Jobe of the Detroit Tigers Rising Stock

Simeon Woods Richardson of the Minnesota Twins: A Great Streamer This Week

Pittsburgh Pirates Concerns Rise as David Bednar's Performance Falters

Jordan Romano's Rocky Start with the Philadelphia Phillies

Predicting Every Division Winner Ahead of MLB Opening Day 2025

2025 MLB Opening Day: Ranking the Top 10 Pitchers Taking the Ball

Projecting the 2025 New York Mets Opening Day Lineup

MLB 2025: Predicting Every Division Winner

Top Remaining MLB Free Agents

MLB Free Agency Hub

MLB Trade Central

SportsMillions: Pick'em, Blitz'em and Social Casino

Comment

Home

Articles

SportsGrid is your source for the best sports bets today. Watch SportsGrid for live sports news coverage, scores, odds, moneylines, sports betting tips & more.

sportsgrid.com

Ferrall Coast To Coast

College Football Today

NFL Pro Football Today

Bare Knuckle Fighting Main Event

The Early Line Live

SportsRage Tonight Live

NewsWire Live

The Bostonian Vs. The Book

Bare Knuckle Fighting Knuckle Up

MODUS Super Series Darts

Gametime Decisions Live

Fantasy Sports Today

The Smylie Kaufman Show

NHL Today

Ferrall Coast To Coast From Super Bowl Week

Ferrall Coast To Coast Live From Super Bowl Week

NFL Super Bowl Pro Football Today

OUR SHOWS

Explore the impact of wind direction on game scores, the influence of advanced bats, and how modified baseballs are key as high scoring games continue.

Understanding Wind Impact on Game Totals and Bat Effects

LATEST SPORTSGRID VIDEOS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on and how to watch SportsGrid today.

Where to Watch SportsGrid | How to Watch SportsGrid | SportsGrid

Samsung TV Plus

Roku TV

FireTV

LG Channels

Vizio

Xiaomi

VIDAA

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Connected TV’s

FREE ON MY TV

Amazon Prime Video

YouTube TV

FuboTV

Plex

Sling Tv

FreeCast

Local Now

Stremium

Rad TV

Free Live Sports

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following Streaming services

LIVE STREAMING SERVICES

Sirius XM

Sports.Tv

YouTube

Download the new SportsGrid app, watch on SportsGrid.com or our YouTube Channel

WEB/MOBILE

SportsGrid is free to watch on any of the following platforms

ALL PARTNERS

Wherever you are, SportsGrid can be there too. Here are all of the platforms and subscription services you can find us on:

WHERE TO WATCH SPORTSGRID

MORE ARTICLES

Sports Betting

Sportsbook Promos

Social Casinos