Giants VS. D-Backs Series Preview

Jul 26, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randall Delgado (48) pitches against the San Diego Padres in the first inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona did well in the series against the San Diego Padres by taking two of three from the Friars. They will need to continue playing well at home to increase their chances of playing in the playoffs. They trail the Cincinnati Reds by six games for second wild-card spot in the National League.

The San Francisco Giants are last in the NL West division (59-74) and this is a chance for the D-backs to build some momentum against a struggling team. They will have to reverse a trend against the defending champs, as they have won nine of its last 11 games in Arizona.

This will be the fifth time that these two clubs will be facing each other. So far Arizona is 4-8 against them this season.

Game 1 (Friday): Tim Lincecum (7-13, 4.55 ERA) vs. Randall Delgado (4-4, 3.87 ERA)

Lincecum won his last start Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving up one run on three hits and four walks in 5 1/3 innings with eight strikeouts. He’s 2-7 with a 4.48 ERA in 12 road starts and last won on the road July 13 at San Diego.

He will be facing his nemesis, D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. Goldschmidt has nine hits with a double and five homers in 17 career at-bats against him.

Delgado took a no-hitter into the fifth inning and ended up with his seventh quality start in his last 11 games. The last 15 starts for him he has a 3.75 ERA with 20 walks and 67 strikeouts in 93 2/3 innings.

Game 2 (Saturday): Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 5.58 ERA) vs. Trevor Cahill (5-10, 4.39 ERA)

Vogelsong allowed two hits in eight scoreless innings Sunday against the Pirates and won, 4-0. He’s 1-0 in his past two starts with a 1.20 ERA (two earned runs in 15 innings pitched).

After struggling a bit in his return from the DL on August 17, giving up four runs in five innings to the Pirates. He has been much better in his last outings, allowing just one run in a combined 11 innings. He’ll be on seven days’ rest.

Game 3 (Sunday): Barry Zito (4-10, 5.81 ERA) vs. Patrick Corbin (13-4, 2.79 ERA)

Zito has not looked the past two starts with him giving up 11 earned runs and only pitching into the fourth inning in both starts. The opposition is lighting him up like a Christmas tree, with teams hitting .324 against him and left-handed batters hitting .346.

Corbin will have an extra two days between starts, because of an off-day and also Arizona playing an 18-inning game recently. This is coming at a good time. In five August starts, he is 1-2 with a 5.13 ERA.