Giants To Host Twins For Three Games In Interleague Action

May 17, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum (55) pitches the ball against the Miami Marlins during the fifth inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

The Giants are returning home, to begin a six game home stand, to face the American League Central’s Minnesota Twins for an interleague showdown.  This is the Giants’ second interleague series of the season, hosted Cleveland in late April and swept the three game series.

The Twins have been a bit of a surprise early on this season, 23-21 and currently holding one of the two Wild Card spots in the American League.

The Series begins tonight at AT&T Park, 7:15 pm PT

Twins Kyle Gibson (4-3, 4.20 ERA) faces Giants Tim Lincecum (3-3, 4.74 ERA)

Gibson is coming off of a 5-4 win versus the Mariners. In that start he pitched 7 innings and surrendering 6 hits 1 run while walking 2 and striking out 4.

Lincecum, coming off of his great start versus the Braves, didn’t pitch all that bad last time out versus the Marlins. Lincecum went 6 innings giving up 6 hits, 3 runs while walking 3 and striking out 6 in the 5-0 loss. Of note, Lincecum is making his first start after shaving his mustache that has been such a big focus of attention this season from Giants fans.

Game 2 of the Series is set for Saturday at 7:05 pm PT

Twins Ricky Nolasco (2-4,5.50 ERA) takes on Giants Ryan Vogelson (2-2, 3.62 ERA)

In the off-season, Nolasco signed a 4 year $49m contract with the Twins. Nolasco is currently on a stretch of 4 straight games giving up 3 runs and has not pitched that well this season. In his last start, versus the Mariners, Nolasco went 5 innings giving up 6 hits and 3 runs while walking 3 and striking out 3 in the 6-2 loss.

Final Game of the Series is Sunday at 1:05 pm PT

Twins Sam Deduno (1-2, 3.53 ERA) takes on Giants Madison Bumgarner (5-3,3.38 ERA)

Deduno is making his fourth start of the season. In his start, Deduno in his last start, versus the Mariners, lasted 6 innings and gave up 2 hits, 2 runs while walking 2 and striking out 4 in the 4-3 win.

In his last start, May 20th versus the Rockies,  Bumgarner lasted 5 innings while giving up 8 hits and 3 runs while walking 1 and striking out 6 in the 5-4 loss.

Twins second basemen Brian Dozier is having a good start to his 2014 season, .257 avg. to go with 11 home runs and 25 RBI.

Giants Pablo Sandoval has been a good streak the last 2 weeks, coinciding with the injury to Brandon Belt. During the last 14 days, Sandoval is batting .370 with 2 home runs and 7 RBI. With Belt still out with a broken thumb and not expected back for a while, the Giants need Sandoval to keep hitting like this.