Coming into this game on a nine game winning streak, the Arizona Diamondbacks have acquired a commanding six game lead in the NL West over the defending champion San Francisco Giants. The Black and Orange are coming into this game limping, losers of 21 of there last 31, looking to scratch and claw their way up the standings again. They'll turn to All-Star Matt Cain to deliver the first blow to the dominant D'backs, hoping for some more late season magic inside of AT&T Park.
Cain (10-9 2.87 ERA) is coming off of two straight quality starts in which he took a no decision, both ending up as Giants loses to the Padres and Astros. Cain has a 3-1 record against Arizona this season though, giving up one homer along with a 19/8 K to BB ratio.
The D'backs will counter with Joe Saunders (9-11 3.82 ERA), earning his ninth win of the season in his last time out with seven scoreless innings pitched against the Padres. It will be his first time ever taking the mound at AT&T though, and on an Orange friday no less.
Some things to remember:
- According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the D'backs haven't allowed more than one run in any of their last 63 straight innings played, a new team record (Yikes).
- The Giants are 11-14 at AT&T Park since the All-Star break, despite being 28-16 before it (Not cool).
-The Giants have won 8 of the 12 meetings so far in 2011 with Arizona (Ask the Padres how that worked out last year).
-The Giants finished the month of August with a .180 average with runners in scoring position (SMH).
Get your popcorn ready (Yum).
First pitch is set for 7:15 pm PT this evening with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.