San Francisco @ Colorado preview

Last Meeting ( May 18, 2013 ) San Francisco 2, Colorado 10

A two-game winning streak isn't much of an accomplishment, but when it is the Colorado Rockies doing it against the San Francisco Giants, the psychological impact is significant. The Rockies, who had lost 10 straight to the Giants prior to their modest run, will put their newfound success on the line when they host San Francisco on Sunday in the finale of their four-game series. The Rockies are also brimming with confidence at the plate with 10 runs in each of the last two games.

Some pitchers cringe at the thought of Coors Field, where hits tend to fall more frequently in the majors' largest outfield - if they stay in the park. But not Barry Zito, who is 3-1 with a 3.25 ERA in nine games (eight starts) in Denver. Zito hopes his affinity for Coors Field helps him snap a four-start winless streak. He will oppose Juan Nicasio, who has had trouble working deep into games. San Francisco is 1-4 on its road trip while committing 12 errors and allowing 47 runs during that span.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT Sports (Colorado)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants LH Barry Zito (3-2, 3.40 ERA) vs. Rockies RH Juan Nicasio (3-1, 5.13)

Zito was lit up for eight runs (five earned) and 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings in San Francisco's 10-6 loss at Toronto on Tuesday to fall to 0-2 with an 11.25 ERA in three road starts. The odds of the Las Vegas native pitching well improve greatly, though, when he faces Colorado. Zito is 8-2 with a 2.47 ERA in 21 games - 19 starts - against the Rockies, including seven shutout innings in a 10-0 victory April 10. Troy Tulowitzki, who had four hits Saturday, is 7-for-44 against Zito.

The good news for Nicasio is he pitched six innings in his last start for the first time since his season opener. The bad news? He allowed five runs in suffering his first loss of the season - a 9-1 setback against the Cubs in Chicago on Monday. Nicasio has struggled with his command, leading to an average of 18 pitches per inning. He has faced the Giants twice in his career, including April 9 when he received a no-decision after yielding four runs in five innings in the Rockies' 9-6 loss.

WALK-OFFS

1. Zito is 6-0 in his last 14 starts against the Rockies since a 3-1 loss Sept. 25, 2008.

2. Colorado, which is 4-12 against San Francisco in its last 16 games at Coors Field and 11-31 overall since 2011, last won two straight over San Francisco on May 16-17, 2011.

3. San Francisco 2B Marco Scutaro has hit in a major league-best 17 games and is hitting .486 during the streak. He has 13 multi-hit games - including 10 of his last 11 - during that span.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Rockies 5