The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants continue an important three-game series in the National League West race Tuesday night at AT&T Park
Arizona used a five-run sixth-inning last night to capture a 5-2 series-opening victory in San Francisco last night and moving within a game of the divisional lead. The Diamondbacks have enjoyed quite a turnaround under first-year manager Kirk Gibson and the clubhouse knows the importance of staying within the moment. “They’re all big, really, but it was nice to come in and get Game 1 and hopefully it kind of sets the tone for the rest of the series,” Diamondbacks shortstop Willie Bloomquist commented. “They’re obviously world champs, so we’ve got to come in and beat them.” Arizona is 32-26 on the road this season and 22-18 versus NL West opponents.
Diamondbacks starting pitcher Daniel Hudson is 10-7 with a 3.81 ERA in 22 starts this season and is looking to snap a two-game losing streak. The right-hander has allowed nine runs and 17 hits in 12 1/3 innings over that span against divisional foes Colorado and San Diego. Hudson will be making his second consecutive start on the road, bringing in an even 4-4 mark and 4.64 ERA in 11 outings, but has surrendered just four home runs in 66 frames. In four lifetime starts versus the Giants, the former Old Dominion product is 2-2 with a 3.38 ERA, including an 0-2 mark and 4.97 ERA in two efforts this year.
San Francisco has dropped four straight games and seven of 11, but the club will remain confident knowing it has still won 10 of the last 13 meetings with tonight’s opponent. “They’re good. We’ve noticed that. We thought that in the spring,” said Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain about the Diamondbacks. The club leads the division due to its dominating 27-16 record against NL West foes and is 10-2-2 in such series this year. Nobody is panicking in the dugout at this point with such a slim lead in the standings, especially with 30 of its last 53 games being played at home. San Francisco is 32-20 at AT&T Park this year and 138-83 over the last three seasons.
Giants starting pitcher Tim Lincecum is 9-8 with a 2.78 ERA in 22 starts this season and has alternated wins and losses over his last three outings. He is coming off a 4-1 road win over the Phillies, tossing six shutout frames and compiling six strikeouts. The right-hander has a losing 3-4 mark and 3.45 ERA in 10 home starts, but has limited opponents to a .220 average. In 15 career starts versus the Diamondbacks, Lincecum is a solid 7-2 with a 2.42 ERA, issuing just 27 walks and registering 130 strikeouts in 108 frames.
Bettors will likely back the Giants due to their 10-4 record in Lincecum’s last 14 starts versus the division, while the Diamondbacks are 2-5 in Hudson’s last seven tries as a road underdog