San Francisco @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 17, 2011 ) San Francisco 7, Atlanta 5

THE STORY: The San Francisco Giants were in rare offensive form Wednesday night, leaving some to wonder if they have anything left for Thursday's series finale with the host Atlanta Braves. Then again, the Giants may not need much in the tank - they send ace Tim Lincecum to the hill looking to continue his sensational second half. The Braves counter with Mike Minor.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CS Bay Area (San Francisco), SportSouth (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (11-9, 2.58 ERA) vs. Braves LH Mike Minor (2-2, 4.84).

There aren't many pitchers more dangerous than Lincecum right now. The 27-year-old fireballer has been red-hot since mid-July, going 5-2 with a 1.16 ERA over his last seven starts. His last outing was the best of the bunch as he limited Florida to only two hits while striking out 10 in a 3-0 victory. He is 6-3 with a 3.34 ERA in nine career appearances against Atlanta. Minor was fortunate to earn the victory last time out. The 23-year-old was tagged for nine hits in 5 2/3 innings, but limited the damage to three runs and received plenty of help in a 10-4 triumph over the Chicago Cubs. This will mark Minor's first career appearance against the Giants. He is 2-1 with a 4.70 ERA in four home starts in 2011.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (67-57): San Francisco brought the big bats in Wednesday's 7-5 win, pounding out 11 hits en route to its second-biggest offensive explosion since the All-Star break. The surge comes as the Giants prepare for one of the easiest stretches they will enjoy all season. They will head to Houston for a three-game set with the league-worst Astros, on pace to finish with well over 100 losses this season. From there, the Giants return to San Francisco for a homestand that will bring San Diego, Houston and the Chicago Cubs to town - teams that are collectively more than 70 games below .500. The Giants are 2 1/2 games behind Arizona in the National League West.

ABOUT THE BRAVES (72-52): Atlanta hasn't had to worry much about its starting pitching this season, but fans may be getting a little more nervous following Wednesday's poor showing by Jair Jurrjens. The normally reliable veteran came unraveled in the fourth inning against San Francisco, looking rusty after returning from a right knee strain. With Tommy Hanson landing on the disabled list with right rotator cuff tendinitis earlier this week, the Braves need Jurrjens to return to his first-half form if they hope to hold off a host of challengers for the National League wild card berth. Minor will look to do his part Thursday - he is 2-0 over his last three starts. Atlanta holds a five-game lead over second-place San Francisco in the NL wild card race.

FINAL PITCH: Atlanta's roster is hitting a collective .278 against Lincecum, but has racked up 36 strikeouts in only 115 at-bats against him.