Giants vs. Pirates MLB Schedule Preview: San Francisco Trying To Break 4-Game Losing Streak

The San Francisco Giants just could not get anything done against the Atlanta Braves, who successfully got revenge for 2010's NLDS loss with a three-game sweep at AT&T Park of the defending World Series champions. They hardly even showed signs of life in games one and two, and failed to complete a comeback in game three that would have been a good confidence booster. Now, they head out on a ten-game road trip which starts with a three-game set in Pittsburgh against the inconsistent Pirates.

Pittsburgh wraps up a three-game set against the Washington Nationals on Monday, and at the time of writing have split the series thus far one-game apiece. The Pirates have been wildly consistent all season, winning close games and losing in blowouts. The Pirates have been outscored 77-to-128 this year, and have been shutout three times. They scored only one point twice, and have not looked great on anything nearing a consistent basis. They've yet to string together a three-game winning streak, and but have streaks of four-games and three-games lost on their record thus far.

It looks like the Giants will continue to skip Barry Zito's spot in the pitching rotation, in lieu of naming Ryan Vogelsong the starter (he looked good against the Braves in game one), they'll just go with Madison Bumgarner in game two. Matt Cain is up for game one and is coming off his first loss of the season, he got roughed up bad by the Colorado Rockies in the closer of a three-game set, giving up six runs, a homerun and nine hits while walking two and striking out six. Pitching ace Tim Lincecum will be in action in game three. Looks like it will by Ryan Vogelsong in game three.

They'll want more consistency out of their lineup altogether. Aaron Rowand can get a hit at opportune times, but fails to setup good positions himself, which is inherently bad for your leadoff hitter. It's also unclear whether Andres Torres will be able to return from the disabled list on Tuesday, the injury could keep him out for longer. Miguel Tejada needs to be better at shortstop, and Brian Wilson needs to make sure he's got closing on lockdown. Then again, maybe Bruce Bochy shouldn't have him in for more than a single inning.

The Pirates will be sending the bottom half of their order out against San Francisco: Charlie Morton in game one, James McDonald in game two, and Jeff Karstens for the finale. Morton and Karstens have two wins apiece, the former with a loss in his most recent outing and a no decision to his credit, with the latter having no losses and three no decisions thus far. McDonald is still searching for his first win, being handed two no decisions in his first two starts, and two losses in his most recent outings.

It should be a good series, and the Giants are definitely looking to rebound. They're facing an inconsistent team and there's no better time for them to try and take advantage and get back in the win column after losing four straight. Game one is on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m. pacific time.