San Francisco @ Philadelphia preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 27, 2011 ) San Francisco 2, Philadelphia 1

THE STORY: The San Francisco Giants will unveil their new acquisition on Thursday against a team that has seen him far too many times before. Carlos Beltran makes his debut with the Giants on Thursday when they play the rubber game of their three-game set against the host Philadelphia Phillies. After being scratched from the team's last two starts, Tim Lincecum is expected to take the mound in the series finale. Should the two-time National League Cy Young Award winner still be unable to go, All-Star Ryan Vogelsong will get the nod opposite Kyle Kendrick.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, CS Bay Area (San Francisco), CS Philadelphia

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Tim Lincecum (8-8, 2.90 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Kyle Kendrick (5-4, 3.45).

Lincecum has yielded only three runs in his last three starts - although he was saddled with the loss in his last outing. He allowed one run on five hits and struck out seven in seven innings Wednesday, but dropped a 1-0 decision to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Lincecum has posted a 2-1 mark in his career against Philadelphia.

Kendrick hasn't lost since June 4 while performing as a starter and reliever for manager Charlie Manuel. He has yet to record a decision in two career appearances against the Giants.

ABOUT THE GIANTS (60-44): The New York Mets traded Beltran to the Giants for highly touted righthander Zach Wheeler on Wednesday. Beltran, who is batting .289 with 15 homers and 66 RBIs, saw his fair share of the National League East rival Phillies. The 34-year-old Beltran is 6-for-19 in his career against Kendrick. The Giants are expected to release veteran outfielder and former Phillie Pat Burrell and option first baseman Brandon Belt to Triple A Fresno to clear room on the 40- and 25-man rosters. Aaron Rowand burned his former team with an RBI triple in Wednesday's 2-1 victory - San Francisco's 10th in 14 games. Cody Ross tortured Philadelphia en route to being named the MVP of last season's National League Championship Series. Thus far, he is 0-for-6 in the series and has only one hit in his last 20 at-bats. Infielder Mike Fontenot is also struggling. He went 0-for-4 and is hitless in his last 17 at-bats.

ABOUT THE PHILLIES (65-38): Jimmy Rollins has also seen better days. He is 0-for-8 in the series and has only one hit in his last 24 at-bats. Rollins is only 3-for-18 in his career against Lincecum and 1-for-6 versus Vogelsong. Domonic Brown drove in the Phillies' lone run Wednesday with a hard shot which caromed off the glove of first baseman Aubrey Huff. Brown is riding a modest six-game hitting streak. Righthander Roy Oswalt fared well in a rehab start for Triple A Lehigh Valley on Wednesday. Oswalt, who is nursing a back injury, is expected to have one more outing with the Iron Pigs on Monday. A potential return to the Phillies may be possible by next weekend.

FINAL PITCH: As good as he is eccentric, Giants closer Brian Wilson retired the side in order to secure his 32nd save of the season Wednesday. Wilson has six consecutive scoreless appearances and hasn't blown a save since July 1.