Giants Vs. Mets, Series Preview: Seven-Game Road Trip Begins In New York City

The San Francisco Giants have embarked on their first East coast road trip of the 2012 season, starting off with a four game set against the New York Mets in the Big Apple.

Game one of the series will find Barry Zito (1-0 1.13 ERA) taking on the Mets Jon Niese (2-0 2.13 ERA), with both men looking to keep their hot starts going. Zito is coming off of seven innings of two run ball in the Giants 4-3 win over Pittsburgh after his immaculate shutout in Denver, while Niese blanked the Phillies in his last start, lasting 6.2 innings while striking out five.

Game two will feature Ryan Vogelsong's (0-1 2.84 ERA) second outing of the season, still searching for his first victory, taking on Mike Pelfrey (0-0 3.09) six innings of one run ball his lasttime out against the Phillies, but also is yet to receive a decision this season.

Tm Lincecum (0-2 10.54 ERA) takes the mound in game three, trying to quell some of the negativity that's been surrounding his start to 2012. The Freak has essentially been rocked in the first few innings of all of his outings thus far, including giving up five runs in six innings in his last outing against Philadelphia despite fanning eight. He'll be taking on Dillion Gee (1-1 2.92 ERA) who earned his frist victory his last time out with seven innings of one run ball against the Braves.

The finale is setting up for the best pitching duel of the series as Madison Bumgarner (2-1 3.63 ERA) will face off against Johan Santana (0-2 3.97), making his return from injury that kept him out all of 2011. Bumgarner gave up only two runs in six innings pitched his last time out, while Santana lasted only 1.1 innings after giving up four earned runs early against the Braves, hoping for a bounce back Monday.

The Giants certainly haven't been helping themselves with their defense, forcing 16 errors in 12 games to begin the season. Their offensive woes don't seem as prevalent yet, but as long as they keep giving teams second chances with errors they will only make it harder for themselves to earn a victory. Hopefully we will see some improved glove play this weekend for the Black and Orange.

For more on the Giants, head over to McCovey Chronicles. For the Mets side of things, please check out Amazin' Avenue.