Colorado @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 8, 2013 ) Colorado 2, San Francisco 4

Tim Lincecum will attempt to rediscover his control when he makes his second start of the season Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. The two-time National League Cy Young award winner matched a career high with seven walks in his season debut Wednesday against the Dodgers, but escaped with the win after allowing two unearned runs on three hits in five innings. The Giants opened their three-game set with Colorado on Monday with a 4-2 victory, snapping the Rockies’ five-game winning streak.

Colorado’s starting rotation has been one of the majors’ biggest surprises with a 3.02 ERA through seven games. Whether that continues is debatable, but the Rockies are cautiously optimistic about a revamped rotation led by veteran Jeff Francis. There aren’t nearly as many questions about the Rockies’ offense, especially if Carlos Gonzalez and Troy Tulowitzki stay healthy. Center fielder Dexter Fowler went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in the series opener, but is off to an impressive start with four homers.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ROOT Sports (Colorado), Comcast SportsNet Bay Area Plus (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (1-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (1-0, 0.00 ERA)

Nicasio earned his first career road win Wednesday at Milwaukee, going six innings and allowing two runs on seven hits. He’s turned in a quality outing in five of his last six road starts with a 2.56 ERA over that stretch. Nicasio made his lone career appearance against the Giants at AT&T Park on June 3, 2011, when he took the loss after giving up three runs in six innings. He’s performed well under the lights in his brief career, going 7-4 with a 4.28 ERA in 16 night games. Nicasio is 3-3 with a 4.81 ERA in 11 career starts against NL West opponents.

Lincecum’s average fastball velocity has dropped over the last two years, but he showed the ability to get out of trouble in his season debut. Fowler is 6-for-32 with 10 strikeouts against Lincecum, who is 11-7 with a 3.55 ERA in 23 career starts against Colorado. Carlos Gonzalez has had more success, going 12-for-39 with two homers. The Giants are looking for more consistency from their four-time All-Star, who went 0-3 with a 10.57 ERA in five spring training starts. He allowed 28 runs in the first inning last season, and the Dodgers scored once in the first Wednesday.

WALK-OFFS

1. Colorado RF Michael Cuddyer went 2-for-3 in the series opener after sitting out Sunday’s victory over San Diego with a sore left wrist.

2. Giants 2B Marco Scutaro has three hits in his first 27 at-bats.

3. The Rockies are 54-108 all-time in San Francisco, including 41-76 at AT&T Park.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Rockies 5