Arizona defeated the San Francisco Giants in two out of three games last week at AT&T Park, but could have swept them if the bullpen did their job. The Giants will look to do the same in Arizona, but they are struggling as they were just swept by the San Diego Padres.

Game 1 (Monday):

Matchup – Matt Cain (0-2, 6.59 ERA) vs. Ian Kennedy (1-2, 4.70 ERA)

This is a match up of pitchers that are looking for some consistency with their starts on the season. Kennedy pitched good his last time against the Giants, as he just allowed one run in six innings of work. Kennedy seems to be pitching like was in the 2011 season, when he won 21 games for Arizona. Kennedy has good numbers in his career against the Giants, as indicated by 6-2 record in 14 starts and 2.33 ERA.

Cain is looking for something to build on, he has struggled in each start this season, and has allowed a total 6 HR in last three starts. Cain has 8-4 record with a 4.13 ERA in 16 starts at Chase Field

Game 2 (Tuesday)

Matchup – Madison Bumgarner (3-0, 1.87 ERA) vs. Trevor Cahill (1-3, 3.00 ERA)

The match up in this game is about one starter dominating the opposition, and the other starter trying the find the command of a pitch that is vital to his success. Cahill did earn his first win of the season in his last start, but barely made it through five innings. The main reason of this is because he could not command or locate his sinker pitch at all. Cahill’s command will have to improve, to give Arizona a chance at earning a win.

Bumgarner has been the ace of the Giants pitching staff, and has shown no signs of slowing down. The main reason he has had success this season is because how effectively he has been able to locate his fastball and his secondary pitches. The control he has shown has been impeccable, as indicated by his 34 strike outs to only eight walks. He also has a 3.22 career ERA on the road.

Game 3 (Wednesday)

Matchup – Tim Lincecum (2-1, 3.64 ERA) vs. Brandon McCarthy (0-3, 7.48 ERA)

This is a match up where the Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt gets to face his favorite pitcher on the planet. He owns Lincecum in his career, as indicated by him hitting five HR in 14 at-bats. The Diamondbacks key to winning this game will rely on well McCarthy pitches in this start. He has looked good in just one start this season, but the other starts he has struggled with his command and location. Another reason why McCarthy has struggled in each start this season, is that he has given up eight hits to the opposition in each start.

Lincecum has pitched well this season, but has allowed too many free passes to the opposition. He has walked 17 batters, but he has worked around this by striking out 32 batters. Arizona will need to find a way to take advantage of this, if he struggles again with his command in this game.

The Diamondbacks are 2-1 against the Giants this season and were 9-9 against them in 2012.

Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Aaron Hill, connects for his second home run off pitcher Madison Bumgarner. Hill had three RBIs in the D-backs 5-4 win over the Giants.(Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-US PRESSWIRE)

Hill, who came to Arizona in a trade from the Toronto Blue Jays along with John McDonald for Kelly Johnson, seems to be forgotten on a team with the likes of Justin Upton, Paul Goldschmidt and Miguel Montero.  Hill must have forgot he was not a star as he stole the show by hitting a solo shot in the first inning and a two-run shot in the second inning to put the D-backs up 4-0 after three innings.

Hill, who hit in the No. 2 spot, looked like he was more apt to be hitting in the cleanup role after driving in the majority of the runs for the D-backs.  He has career averages of .267 batting average, .321 on-base percentage and a .418 slugging percentage and is off to a fast start after teeing off on Bumgarner.  To put this game into perspective, in 33 games for the D-backs last year Hill had 16 RBIs and already he has three in two games.

Diamondbacks’ starter Daniel Hudson pitched solidly for six and two thirds innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits, walking two and striking out four.  It might not have been Hudson’s best performance, but it was enough for the win.  The Diamondbacks bullpen again held the Giants scoreless through two and a third innings, with Bryan Shaw getting an out to end the seventh.  David Hernandez pitched a scoreless eighth and J.J. Putz pitched a scoreless ninth for the save.

If the Diamondbacks can repeat this success, handing the lead to the bullpen, the relievers are more than capable of closing out the game which means the Diamondbacks will be able to win the close games like they did last year.  This seems to be the recipe for success and it is good to see the Diamondbacks starting out winning the close ones.

Follow me on Twitter @roberts_843 and at stgeorgesportsguy.wordpress.com.

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