D-Backs VS. Giants Series Preview

Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

The D-Backs narrowly avoided a sweep at home with them winning the last game of the series against the Toronto Blue Jays in walk-off fashion. The playoff chances for Arizona still a have pulse, but this road trip is crucial for them to get back in the race.

They are seven games back of the Cincinnati Reds, and every series is a must win for this team. They just faced the Giants last week and lost two of three against them. This will be a chance to get some retribution in what will be the last time they see them.

This will be the sixth time these two meet. So far Arizona is 5-10 against them this season.

Game 1 (Thursday): Trevor Cahill (5-10, 4.39 ERA) vs. Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 5.49 ERA)

Cahill pitched well against the Giants, allowing three runs over 6 1/3 innings. In his outing prior to that he was forced into relief duty in an 18-inning game against the Philadelphia Phillies, throwing four scoreless innings.

Vogelsong’s offspeed pitches lacked their usual sharpness in his most recent outing — he said that his mechanics deserted him occasionally — but he still recorded his third quality start in a row and fourth in his last five appearances.

Game 2 (Friday): Patrick Corbin (13-5, 2.96 ERA) vs. Yusmeiro Petit (2-0, 3.12 ERA)

Corbin has struggled in his two most recent starts, allowing a combined 13 earned runs in 10 1/3 innings. Arizona will monitor him closely in this start for any signs of fatigue as they consider reducing his workload down the stretch.

Petit was terrific in his last start against his former team by throwing six innings and scattering seven hits, while striking out a career-high ten batters and allowing just two runs. He has only made three startson the season, but has only given up two runs in each of those starts.

Game 3 (Saturday): Brandon McCarthy (3-9, 4.94 ERA) vs. Matt Cain (8-8, 4.43 ERA)

McCarthy pitched well last time out against the Jays. He allowed two first-inning runs and then shut them out until allowing a two-run homer in the ninth. This will be his second start against the Giants in 2013.

Returning from his first-ever DL stint, Cain takes ball vs. Arizona, against whom he’s 14-6 with 3.39 ERA in his career. He has not pitched since being hit by a line drive on the right forearm Aug. 22.

Game 4 (Sunday): Wade Miley (9-10, 3.78 ERA) vs. Madison Bumgarner (11-9, 2.91 ERA)

Miley pitched poorly his last time out against the Jays. After allowing a run in the first, he lost his composure during a frustrating second inning and allowed four runs. This was the shortest outing of his career, in which he only threw 1 2/3 innings.

Bumgarner was solid in his last start against the San Diego Padres with him throwing six innings and allowing two runs on five hits. The last seven starts for the southpaw, he’s only allowed a total 16 earned runs.

One way Arizona might look to get on a wining streak is to play more extra-inning games, as they are 16-5 in extras this season. This leads all of baseball and they also have the most one-run victories at 30.