Arizona @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 30, 2012 ) Arizona 4, San Francisco 1

The San Francisco Giants have 28 games remaining in the regular season, all against teams from the National League West. The stretch drive begins Monday with a three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who fell 10 1/2 games behind the first-place Giants after losing 5-4 to Los Angeles on Sunday. While Arizona begins to look toward next season, San Francisco appears to be peaking at the right time. The Giants have won 12 of their last 16 to move a season-high 18 games over .500, and they lead the Dodgers by 4 1/2 games. Left fielder Xavier Nady has reached base five times in seven plate appearances in two games since being promoted from Triple-A Fresno.

The Diamondbacks are 1-4 in their last five games against the Giants, and they’ve been reduced to the role of spoiler after losing 10 of their last 14 games. Right fielder Justin Upton went hitless in four at-bats Sunday, but he’s hitting .298 (14-for-47) with three homers and eight RBIs in his last 12 games. While Arizona closer J.J. Putz blew his first save in his last 20 opportunities Sunday, the Giants’ closer-by-committee approach continues to excel. Sergio Romo, Javier Lopez and Santiago Casilla are sharing closing duties, with Lopez earning his sixth save Sunday. The Giants are 66-2 when leading after eight innings, and 7-5 when tied after eight.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FS Arizona (Arizona), CSNBA (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (5-6, 3.93 ERA) vs. Giants LH Barry Zito (10-8, 4.42)

Corbin posted a 3.68 ERA and 3-2 record in six starts in August, and he secured a spot in the rotation after Arizona traded Joe Saunders to Baltimore. Corbin has given up 11 home runs in 82 1/3 innings this season, including five in his last three outings. He held the Giants to one run over seven innings in a 5-1 victory on May 11.

Zito ended a terrible August by turning in his shortest outing of the season, giving up three runs on seven hits Wednesday against Houston before manager Bruce Bochy pulled him after 2 1/3 innings. He’s 5-8 with a 5.15 ERA in 18 career games against Arizona, but he’s 2-0 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants are 37-28 (.569) at home, the sixth-best mark in the NL.

2. Arizona is 33-35 on the road, but the Diamondbacks have won six of their last eight away from Chase Field.

3. San Francisco has gone 10-3-2 in its 15 series since the All-Star break.