San Francisco @ Seattle preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 16, 2015 ) Seattle 2, San Francisco 6

A big-time pitching duel is on tap Wednesday in Seattle when San Francisco's Madison Bumgarner opposes Mariners ace Felix Hernandez in the third of four consecutive games between the two clubs. Bumgarner was the World Series hero last year as the Giants won their third title in five seasons while Hernandez is aiming to become the American League's first 10-game winner in 2015.

Hernandez is coming off the worst outing of his career as he gave up eight runs in one-third of an inning while losing to Houston on Friday. The two hurlers squared off once in 2012 and neither was part of the decision as Bumgarner allowed one run and three hits in eight innings and Hernandez permitted one run and six hits in seven frames. The teams split two games in San Francisco as the Giants posted a 6-2 victory on Tuesday to halt a nine-game home losing streak. Third baseman Matt Duffy is 4-for-8 in the two contests and 3-for-4 with a homer and three RBIs on Tuesday to help end San Francisco's five-game slide.

TV: 10:10 p.m. ET, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (7-3, 3.16 ERA) vs. Mariners RH Felix Hernandez (9-3, 3.38)

Bumgarner lost to Arizona 1-0 in his last start to halt a string of four consecutive victorious decisions. He is 5-1 with a 3.92 ERA in six road starts while walking just four over 39 innings. In Bumgarner's 2012 no-decision versus the Mariners, he retired 18 consecutive batters during one stretch and struck out four against one walk.

Hernandez is just 3-3 after a scintillating 6-0 start and he was touched up for two homers during his short stint against Houston. He has been roughed up in June -- 1-2 with a 12.00 ERA - while allowing 23 baserunners in just 12 innings over three outings. Hernandez is 2-0 with a 2.57 ERA in three career starts against the Giants.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mariners OF Mark Trumbo (back spasms) missed three straight starts but is expected to return to the lineup after grounding out as a pinch hitter on Tuesday.

2. Giants 1B Brandon Belt was 0-for-7 with four strikeouts in the two games in San Francisco.

3. Seattle 2B Robinson Cano is batting .186 with three RBIs in 59 June at-bats.

PREDICTION: Giants 2, Mariners 1