Giants Have Playoffs Within Grasp, Need To Beat Diamondbacks

It's just as McCovey Chronicles said recently in a postgame thread, in which they had a satirical conversation between the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, and even the Colorado Rockies. In said conversation, the Giants and Padres bickered over who would win the NL West crown. The Padres keep trying to give it up to the Giants, the Giants keep saying they don't want it, and the Rockies are just kind of there as well.

Every game is critical for the Giants, and this road trip in Arizona is right up there on the list of must-win games. They're within one game of the NL West lead, behind the Padres who are absolutely reeling at the moment. The Giants have won four of their last five, while the Padres have lost ten straight.

Jonathan Sanchez was sensational against the Dodgers on Sunday night, getting a first pitch strike on seemingly every pitch. He seemed to agree with the sentiments: "I was getting ahead on every hitter," Sanchez said. "When they take the first pitch, I took advantage of it and threw strikes. I'm working on my mechanics and feel I can go deep in the game."

The Giants can thank Juan Uribe for their wins against the Dodgers, hitting two two-run homers, one to give them a late win and one to give them and Sanchez some insurance.

In twelve games this season, the Giants have beaten the Diamondback eight times, including a four-game sweep the last time the two teams met in Arizona. Madison Bumgarner takes the mound for the Giants, looking to build on a good outing his last time out with a no-decision against the Rockies, in which he held them to one run on five hits through six innings.

Bumgarner played well during the Giants sweep of the Diamondbacks last time, getting the win on July 24th, but, aside from his last outing, was shaky from then on and of late. He's went 1-2 with a 5.17 ERA, though his road average is 3.76 and the Giants like him in this matchup.

Arizona, having taken seven of their last ten games, have picked up two of those three losses in recent back-to-back outings at home. Ian Kennedy will take the mound for the Diamondbacks and will look to earn his fourth win in his last five. He's playing very good baseball of late, though that 2.77 ERA over his last four isn't always the best indicator. Against the Giants this season, he's 1-1 with a 3.05 ERA.