Giants vs. Phillies, Series Preview: Four Game Set at AT&T Chock Full of Story lines

It took eight whole months before the San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies got their rematch of the 2010 NLCS at Citizen's Bank Park, but now have their second series in as many weeks at AT&T Park, starting Thursday. 

There has been a lot that has transpired since the Giants took two of three from the NL East leaders on their home turf last week, most notably the additions of Carlos Beltran and Orlando Cabrera. Both of them showed why the Black and Orange acquired them on Wednesday against the D'backs, plating clutch RBI's and getting it done with the leather to maintain the Giants narrow lead in the NL West. Now the team must rally their momentum and prepare for what should be an epic series in China Basin this weekend. 

But the Phills made some moves of their own, adding All-Star outfielder Hunter Pence to give a right-handed presence at the plate to a largely left-handed offense, making Philly just that more dangerous than they already were. Nevertheless, the G-Men have seemed to have Philly's number as of late, and hopefully that will continue. 

Since their series in Philly the Giants had one of their worst stretches of the year; losing five in a row and dropping consecutive series for only the second time all season. Their loss last series to the D'backs was only the third time all year they've fallen to a divisional opponent. But all that aside, the Giants still are in first place, still have a 52 game sellout streak at home, and have a fanbase hungry to face the Phillies by the Bay.

San Francisco will once again have the luxury of missing Roy Halladay in the rotation for this series, but they won't be able to dodge Cliff Lee as he will throw from them on Thursday. The Phills haven't made a decision will will make the start of Sunday against Tim Lincecum, but it likely will be Roy Oswalt returning from the DL to make his first start back in San Francisco. 

The Giants have a 16-14 record against the Phils in the regular season since 2007, with the teams splitting their season series in 2010. Get ready for a dogfight on the corner of Third and King.