Tim Lincecum and Zack Greinke have both come a long way since they each won a Cy Young Award back in 2009. Lincecum's won a World Series, while Greinke has found himself a home in Milwaukee after escaping the doldrums of Kansas City.
Now these two square off Friday night in the first installment of The San Francisco Giants and the Milwaukee Brewers three game set this weekend at AT&T Park.
Lincecum (2-2, 5.74) kept the Padres in check his last time out, holding them to just one run on three hits in eight innings of work for his second straight victory. He still walked four and threw 121 pitches, but he's headed in the right direction with back-to-back wins after getting shelled to start the season.
As for Greinke, (3-1, 3.94) he's got back-to-back W's in his pocket as well, including six innings of one run ball against the Cardinals in his last outing. He gave up 15 hits combined in those last two victories though, and has lasted longer than six innings in just one start this season.
Angel Pagan continues to rake, bumping his league leading hit streak to 17 straight. Still the rest of the team needs to get it going at the dish with Pablo on the shelf, and plate discipline will certainly help that. San Francisco batters are averaging 3.67 pitches per plate appearance, the 2nd-fewest in the National League aside the Chicago Cubs (3.66).
Reigning NL MVP Ryan Braun left Wednesday's game with soreness in his Achilles, and is uncertain for tonight's game. Knowing his tenacity I'd bet he'll want to be in the lineup, but it's up to the medical staff now.
First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. PT this evening with coverage on CSN Bay Area and KNBR 680 AM in the Bay Area, while Fox Sports North and WTMJ 620 AM will have coverage up in Wisconsin.
For more on the Giants, head over to McCovey Chronicles. For the Brewers side of the story, make sure you check out Brew Crew Ball.
