Arizona @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2014 ) Arizona 3, San Francisco 7

Brandon Belt was a popular pick to break out in 2014 and become one of the better hitters in the National League. Belt is living up to those expectations and will try to continue his hot start when the San Francisco Giants host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday. Belt has five home runs - four in five games against the Diamondbacks - and nine RBIs to lead a Giants offense that is averaging 5.9 runs through its first eight games.

Arizona has its own five-homer slugger in Mark Trumbo but is having some trouble on the mound while beginning the season in a 2-8 hole. Trevor Cahill could not make it through four innings in suffering his third loss during Tuesday’s series opener and Wade Miley is the only Diamondbacks starter to notch a win. Bronson Arroyo is next up for the Arizona staff and needs to find a way to keep Angel Pagan, who scored twice Tuesday and has hit safely in each of the first eight games for a robust .441 batting average, off base out of the Giants leadoff spot.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Bronson Arroyo (0-0, 4.15 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (0-0, 6.00)

Arizona signed Arroyo in the offseason to provide quality innings in the middle of the rotation but he did not exactly provide that in his debut, when he was lifted in the fifth inning against San Francisco last week. The 37-year-old was limited to two spring training outings by a sore back and was held to a pitch count in his first start. Belt hit a solo home run in that game but Arroyo left with a lead before the bullpen collapsed.

Lincecum went up against Arroyo in that game and surrendered two-run homers to Paul Goldschmidt and Trumbo to account for the four runs allowed in six innings. The former Cy Young winner did not walk a batter and struck out seven in that start but has not had a lot of success against the Diamondbacks of late, posting a 1-6 record with a 5.16 ERA against the division rivals from 2011-2013. Goldschmidt is 12-for-23 with six home runs off Lincecum in his career.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants RHP Jean Machi picked up two wins in relief against the Diamondbacks last week

2. Arizona OF Cody Ross (hip) is playing the field on a rehab assignment and could be back with the team soon.

3. San Francisco LF Michael Morse is 5-for-9 with three RBIs in the last three games.

PREDICTION: Giants 8, Diamondbacks 6