San Francisco @ San Diego preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2012 ) San Diego 6, San Francisco 3

Stunned by the news that All-Star MVP Melky Cabrera has been suspended 50 games for using a banned substance, the Giants are scrambling for outfield help as they begin a three-game series in San Diego. While there’s a chance the Giants could acquire an outfielder to replace Cabrera, the current plan is for Gregor Blanco to get regular playing time in left field. Justin Christian was recalled from Triple-A Fresno on Thursday, but he’ll likely serve as a fourth outfielder. San Francisco enters the weekend a half-game behind the Dodgers in the National League West, while the Padres have gone 7-4 over their last 11 games.

The Giants’ lineup will need to adjust without Cabrera, who was batting .346 with 11 home runs, 60 RBIs and a league-high 84 runs. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval will bat third most games, with Blanco hitting near the bottom of the order. San Diego isn’t making a playoff push, but the team has rebounded nicely from a dismal start. The Padres have gone 32-27 since June 12, including a 19-17 road mark. Padres catcher Nick Hundley is hitless with six strikeouts in 11 at-bats since his return from a stint in Triple-A, and he'll likely lose playing time to rookie Yasmani Grandal (oblique) when he returns from the disabled list this weekend.

TV: 10:05 p.m. ET, CSBA (San Francisco), Fox Sports SD (San Diego)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (11-5, 2.99 ERA) vs. Padres RH Ross Ohlendorf (4-3, 6.41)

Cain rebounded from two shaky starts with a stellar outing last Saturday against Colorado, giving up two runs over 7 1/3 innings. He’s 2-2 with a 4.12 ERA in his last six outings, and he’s 6-11 with a 3.26 ERA in 28 career starts against San Diego. Chase Headley is 9-for-28 (.321) against Cain, who gave up three unearned runs over seven innings against the Padres on June 7.

Ohlendorf had a rough homecoming against Pittsburgh last Sunday, giving up seven runs (six earned) over three innings. He has lost three of his last four starts, but has pitched much better at Petco Park. Ohlendorf has a 2.61 ERA in five appearances (three starts) at home, compared to a 9.47 ERA in seven road appearances (five starts).

WALK-OFFS

1. Since the All-Star break, Giants C Buster Posey has hit safely in 26 of 30 games, batting .434 (46-for-106) with 16 runs scored, nine homers and 19 walks.

2. Major League Baseball owners approved the sale of the Padres on Thursday for $800 million to a group headed by San Diego businessman Ron Fowler.

3. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt has nine hits in his past 16 at-bats and is hitting .407 (24-for-59) in his past 18 games.