Houston @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 13, 2012 ) Houston 1, San Francisco 5

All eyes will be on Tim Lincecum when the Giants continue their three-game series against visiting Houston. If his struggles continue, general manager Brian Sabean indicated the team may consider skipping his next turn. The two-time Cy Young Award winner finished the first half with two dismal outings, giving up 13 earned runs over 6 2/3 innings. It’s been a rapid fall from grace for Lincecum - but he has pitched better at home, boasting a 3.99 ERA with just one home run allowed in eight starts.

The Astros have one victory in their last 12 games and possess the majors’ worst record. They’re also 9-33 away from Minute Maid Park, which isn’t good since the team just started a 10-game road trip. Houston managed just three hits in Friday’s 5-1 loss, and things could get worse if rumored trades involving players such as Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and Brandon Lyon come to fruition. Veteran Carlos Lee was dealt to Miami last week, and manager Brad Mills said Friday that the team will replace Lee at first base with a platoon of Matt Downs and Scott Moore.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FS Houston (Houston), CSNBA (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Astros RH Lucas Harrell (7-6, 4.56 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (3-10, 6.42)

Harrell, who gave up five runs over five innings on July 3 against the Pirates, is 3-3 with a 5.64 ERA in his last seven starts. He matched a career high with nine strikeouts in his last outing 11 days ago, which followed a complete game shutout against the Padres.

Lincecum might be having a season to forget, but he’s 5-0 with a 1.14 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings in eight career starts against the Astros. He’s on pace for 196 strikeouts, but little else is working for Lincecum. The 28-year-old has just one win in 13 starts since the beginning of May.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants starting pitchers have posted a 2.43 ERA over 296 1/3 innings at AT&T Park this season.

2. Astros CF Justin Maxwell (ankle) was activated from the 15-day disabled list prior to Friday’s game and went 0-for-3.

3. San Francisco is 30-11 this season when scoring first.