Giants Vs. Marlins, Series Preview: Trio Of Pitching Battles Slated For Three Game Set

With the San Francisco Giants smack dab in the middle of an elongated home stand, the Miami Marlins come to town struggling, but with some impressive history at AT&T Park as of late.

Matt Cain (1-1, 2.37) returns to the mound Tuesday against Miami's Ricky Nolasco (2-0, 3.20), both of whom are having excellent starts to the season. Cain is coming off 6.1 innings against the Reds with three earned runs, continuing to be lights out as of late. The big right-hander has given up three hits total in his last two starts, nine scoreless innings combined, along with 15 strikeouts and just a single walk.

As for Nolasco, the Giants will certainly have their work cut out for them, He is 3-0 with a 0.76 ERA in three career starts at AT&T Park, and is 4-2 with a 1.61 ERA in six starts against San Francisco, coming off of seven innings of one run ball against the Mets his last time out.

First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. PT with coverage on CBN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.

Wednesday will be former Cub Carlos Zambrano (0-2, 3.24) taking on the resurgent lefty Barry Zito (1-0, 1.67). Zambrano was hoping a change of scenery would yield more success but it hasn't happened yet, though he's pitched better than his record indicated after getting zero runs of support in his last two starts, both of them loses.

Zito is simply looking to keep the wheels moving after his solid start, pitching six innings of one run ball his last time out in Cincinnati. This will be only the second start of the season at AT&T Park for Barry. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. PT with coverage on CBN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM.

Thursday's finale will include another great pitching matchup as Miami's Anibal Sanchez (1-0, 2.79) takes on Ryan Vogelsong (0-1, 4.19). Vogey was roughed up a bit in Cincy is his last time out, giving up four runs in six innings of work, but looks to get back on track at home. Sanchez's lone win game in his first start of the year, getting no decision in his last three starts including seven innings pitched of two-run ball against Arizona his last time out.

First pitch is set for 12:45 p.m. PT with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM as well.

The Marlins won four of the six meetings against San Francisco in 2011, including a three-game sweep at AT&T May 24-26. Since July of 2009, Miami is 6-2 at AT&T Park. Hopefully the tides will sway in favor of the Black and Orange this series.

For more on the Giants, please check out McCovey Chronicles. For the Marlins side of things, head over to Fish Stripes.