Series Preview: Giants Visit Second Place Snakes, Pagan Back

The Giants make their way to the Valley of the Sun for the third and final time this season to square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks. They’ll match up for one more series, but that one will be taking place in San Francisco next week. Although the D-Backs are currently second place , the defending champs have general ownage over them this year.

Coming into Chase Field for a three game weekend set, the Giants hold an overall season record of 8-4 over the D-Backs, with most of their success coming on Arizona’s home turf. The Giants are a cool 5-1 in the desert.

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Game 1: 

Getting the ball for San Francisco will be Tim Lincecum (7-13, 4.55 ERA). He does not have success in Arizona for 2013 in which he made one appearance. In that lone start, he logged 5 earned runs on 10 hits, including a homerun in 5 innings pitched and eventual loss. He’s 0-6 in his last 7 starts against the Snakes. He got the W in his last start against Pittsburgh. He’ll look to trend with a victory.

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D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is Timmy’s achilles heel, who has 9 hits and five homers in 17 career at-bats against him.

On the home side, Randall Delgado(4-4, 3.87 ERA)  is throwing opposite Lincecum for Arizona.

Game 2:

Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 5.58 ERA) vs.Trevor Cahill  (5-10, 4.39 ERA)

Vogelsong had a very impressive last start against the Pirates, where he took the game 8 shutout innings and recorded  the victory.

Game 3:

TBD vs. Patrick Corbin (13-4, 2.79 ERA)

A starter for Game 3 has not been announced, but it would be Barry Zito‘s rotation spot. Zito has really fallen off this year after a lightning in a bottle 2012 season. His 2013 pitching line: (4-10, 5.81 ERA). We will await announcement from Bruce Bochy on who he hands the ball for Sunday’s game.

Hot Giants:

Brandon Belt has a .500 BA the past seven days. The Giants have been extremely pleased with his recent improvement and development.

Pablo Sandoval is a known crusher at Chase Field with a .444 BA, 8 hits, and a homerun there this year. He’s been hot of late too with a BA of  .300 with 5 hits and a homerun in the last seven days.

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NOTE: Angel Pagan is back with the team, activated off the 60-day Disabled List. He’s slotted for the leadoff spot in the Game 1 lineup and is expected to play in all three games.