The Giants are looking for a sweep today when they take on the Detroit Tigers in the finale of a three-game set on the road. The defending world champions outlasted Detroit in a 4-3 game one, and then shelled them over the course of day two following some weather delays to the tune of 15-3. Miguel Tejada hit a grand slam on the first pitch back from the delay. It was an all-around thrashing, but a new day means a new game, and anything can happen.
Ryan Vogelsong will be hoping he can get that kind of run support, as Barry Zito pitched very well while on the mound in game two. Vogelsong and Zito aren't exactly competing at the moment, but neither can give any quarter, and some run support would certainly help Vogelsong, though he hasn't always needed it this year.
He's won four of his last five decisions, and this will be his first time facing the Tigers. Vogelsong is 6-1 on the season with a very solid 2.06 earned run average. His last outing was one in which he received considerable run support, a 13-7 win over the Chicago Cubs in which he lasted five innings, giving up six hits and six runs, though only three of them were earned, walking four and striking out six.
Rick Porcello has never faced the Giants either, but he's not on quite the same streak as the resurgent Vogelsong. Porcello has lost four of his last five starts, and the non-losing effort was a no-decision. Eighteen earned runs in his last three outings for a combined 11 1/3 innings means the Giants can probably reach him for runs. Any day can be the day he turns it around though, so it's anybody's guess.
It's a little more than a guess, of course, considering how hungry San Francisco seemed on Saturday. With Brandon Crawford going 3-for-4 with three RBI and three runs scored and Pablo Sandoval hitting a homerun, the Giants have tasted blood and will be swarming.
The game is set for 10:00 a.m. today.