San Francisco @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 20, 2012 ) San Francisco 7, Philadelphia 2
The San Francisco Giants have bolted out of the All-Star break by winning six of their seven contests. The National League West-leading Giants will look to continue their good fortune when they send Midsummer Classic representative Matt Cain to the mound for Saturday's tilt against the host Philadelphia Phillies. Fellow All-Star Cole Hamels will provide the opposition for the Phillies, who have dropped six straight at Citizens Bank Park to fall to an NL-worst 17-28 at home.
Light-hitting Brandon Crawford belted a grand slam for his second homer in three games as San Francisco cruised to a 7-2 triumph in the series opener on Friday. Crawford finished with a career-best five RBIs as the Giants maintained their 2 1/2-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Philadelphia has dropped two in a row after a four-game winning streak.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (10-3, 2.56 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cole Hamels (11-4, 3.07)
Cain was brilliant the last time he faced the Phillies, scattering two hits and striking out four over nine scoreless innings. Unfortunately for the 27-year-old, he settled for a no-decision in the Giants' eventual 1-0 win on April 18. Cain is 1-4 in his career versus the Phillies, but he pitched 6 1/3 strong innings in his last outing - a 3-2 win over Houston on Sunday.
Hamels isn't letting his contract situation distract him on the mound. The 28-year-old struck out seven for the fourth time in six outings when he pitched eight solid innings in a 5-1 win over Colorado on Sunday. Hamels is 5-3 with three complete games in his career versus San Francisco.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco 1B Aubrey Huff aggravated his ailing right knee and will have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury. Huff was initially targeted to be activated from the disabled list on Monday.
2. Philadelphia CF Shane Victorino, who went 1-for-4 on Friday, sits one hit shy of 1,000 for his career. The Hawaiian is 3-for-17 in his career versus Cain.
3. Ryan Theriot matched a season high with four hits in the opener. The Giants 2B has fared well versus Hamels, going 7-for-21 in his career.