Giants vs. Pirates MLB Schedule Preview: San Francisco Hoping For Reprieve Against Pittsburgh

It's been a hellish August for the defending world champions. Right about the time the San Francisco Giants traded for Carlos Beltran, were supposed to pick up a lot of steam and extend their lead in the National League West, they instead fizzled out and lost. They dropped three straight against the Reds, then followed that up with two straight to the Diamondbacks before beating them big time in game three (with the help of the aforementioned Beltran). And then came the Phillies ...

As you can see, it wasn't a great series. The Giants couldn't hit (led in mediocrity by guys like Chris Stewart and Aubrey Huff), but that's achieving normality for the often hot-and-cold team. The problem was that the pitching was absolutely abused, be it starters or bullpen. Finally, in game four, the Giants salvaged the series and got themselves an impressive win. A win that shows they can still beat teams like that.

But they really need to not lose three of the four.

Fortunately for them, they'll be closing out their ten-game homestand with a three-game set against the reeling Pittsburgh Pirates. The very same Pirates who are losers in every one of their last ten games. They've been outscored 82-42 in said games. The pitching isn't there and the bats are ... well, they're not "gone", but they're certainly unable to keep up. If there ever was a time for the Giants to get a winning streak going, now is that time.

The Giants will send Ryan Vogelsong, Madison Bumgarner and Jonathan Sanchez to the mound to try and get said streak going. Pittsburgh will counter with Charlie Morton, James McDonald and Jeff Karstens. Game one is set for Monday night at 7:15 p.m. pacitic.