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The San Francisco Giants picked up a huge series win on Monday, as they swept a doubleheader to take three of four games from the New York Mets. The Giants will now continue their road trip as they visit the Cincinnati Reds for a three-game series.
There is a chance that the series could end up being an exorcism of sorts for the Giants. The last time they were in Cincinnati, they lost a simply miserable series, including a walk-off hit against the bullpen by former San Francisco hero Edgar Renteria. That series could arguably have been the point of no return for the 2011 Giants team.
As the 2012 version of the Giants heads into Tuesday's game, however, the offense appears to be firing on all cylinders. Nate Schierholtz in particular looks white-hot, as he picked up six hits in the two games on Monday, including a home run and a pair of triples.
Pablo Sandoval will be chasing history on Tuesday, heading into the game with a 16-game hit streak to begin the season. He tied Willie Mays for the longest hitting streak to start a season in San Francisco history when he hit a towering home run in the first inning of the doubleheader's nightcap.
Game Times and Probable Pitchers:
On Tuesday, the first game will begin at 4:10 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on CSN-Bay Area and the radio broadcast, of course, will be on KNBR 680. The true Giants ace of 2012, Matt Cain, will go for his second win of the year as he faces off against Reds righty and old nemesis Mat Latos. Latos has had a rough start to his season, currently 0-2 with an 8.22 ERA. The Giants will hope to add to his troubles on Tuesday.
Wednesday's game will also begin at 4:10 p.m. PT. The game will be televised on CSN-Bay Area and the radio broadcast, of course, will be on KNBR 680. Barry Zito will also be trying for his second win of the year and the Giants will be hoping to get at least five more good innings out of him. He'll take the mound opposite Bronson Arroyo, who is 1-0 with a 2.91 ERA.
On Thursday, the finale will begin at 9:35 a.m. PT, so get ready for some early-morning baseball. The game will be televised on CSN-Bay Area and the radio broadcast, of course, will be on KNBR 680. Ryan Vogelsong, the new hard-luck loser in the mold of vintage Matt Cain, will look for his first win of the year as he takes on right-hander Homer Bailey, who is 1-2 with a 3.86 ERA.
For all news and information regarding the San Francisco Giants, please visit McCovey Chronicles. For updates and perspective on the Cincinnati Reds, head on over to the Red Reporter.
