Houston @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 14, 2012 ) Houston 6, San Francisco 3

If the All-Star Game is any indication, it could be an exciting second half for the San Francisco Giants. Melky Cabrera, Matt Cain, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval all played key roles in the Midsummer Classic, and Cabrera was named the game’s MVP after going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer. San Francisco opens the second half against Houston, which lost 10 of its last 11 games heading into the break. The Giants also stumbled into the break, losing five games during a six-game road trip.

San Francisco still needs to get two-time Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum untracked, but the rest of its rotation has been outstanding. The team also needs better play from outfielders Gregor Blanco and Angel Pagan, who have both struggled in recent weeks. The Giants are a half-game behind the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West, while the Astros are last in the NL Central. Houston traded veteran Carlos Lee to Miami last week, and pitchers Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and Brandon Lyon could also be dealt before the July 31 trade deadline.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FS Houston (Houston), NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Jordan Lyles (2-5, 5.08 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (10-5, 3.27 ERA)

Lyles has made quality starts in three of his last four outings, including last Sunday’s effort against the Milwaukee Brewers when he allowed two runs over seven innings. Lyles owns a 39-to-21 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 62 innings, but he has a 6.67 ERA in six road starts.

Bumgarner was All-Star worthy in the first half, but he struggled in his last start before the break, giving up seven earned runs in five innings against the Washington Nationals on July 4. He boasts a 1.10 WHIP along with 99 strikeouts over 115 2/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Astros OF Justin Maxwell is expected to return on Friday after being on the disabled list since June 26 with loose bodies in his left ankle.

2. The Giants are 35-14 when scoring at least four runs.

3. San Francisco hit .225 with runners in scoring position in the first half, which was the second worst in baseball.