St. Louis @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 6, 2013 ) St. Louis 6, San Francisco 3

The San Francisco Giants look to win their second straight series on Sunday when they face the St. Louis Cardinals, whose offense finally came to life in Saturday's 6-3 win. Carlos Beltran broke out of an early slump with two hits and three RBIs and Pete Kozma contributed three hits in the victory. The Cardinals are hoping to have third baseman David Freese back for their home opener on Monday. Freese, who has been out with a back injury, could finish his minor league rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Sunday.

San Francisco has won three of its first five games despite averaging 2.4 runs. The Giants are 2-for-21 with runners in scoring position this season, and No. 2 hitter Marco Scutaro has two hits in his first 19 at-bats. First baseman Brandon Belt, who lost 11 pounds while dealing with a stomach bug earlier this week, went hitless in four at-bats on Saturday and is still seeking his first hit.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Midwest (St. Louis), Comcast SportsNet-Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Adam Wainwright (0-1, 4.50 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (0-0, 0.00)

After a solid spring training, Wainwright allowed four runs (three earned) on 11 hits over six innings on Opening Day against Arizona. He’s 2-4 with a 3.04 ERA in eight games (six starts) against the Giants, including a 1-4 mark (4.11 ERA) at AT&T Park. Wainwright, who gave up one run over seven innings in Game 4 of last year’s NLCS against the Giants, ranked 13th in the National League in strikeouts in 2012 with 184 and tied for second in complete games with three.

Cain was sharp in his first career Opening Day start on Monday against the Dodgers, allowing four hits with eight strikeouts over six scoreless innings. Cain, a three-time All-Star, has gone 73-9 when the Giants provide him with at least three runs of support. Matt Holliday is 8-for-40 (.200) with three homers against the 28-year-old Cain, who is 2-3 with a 4.94 ERA in eight career starts against St. Louis. He was 1-1 with a 2.19 ERA against the Cardinals in last year’s NLCS.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants will receive their 2012 World Series rings in a pregame ceremony, wrapping up a weekend of events celebrating last season’s title.

2. Beltran is 7-for-18 (.389) in his career against Cain.

3. The Cardinals play 22 of their first 34 games on the road.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Cardinals 2