Minnesota @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 24, 2014 ) Minnesota 1, San Francisco 2

The San Francisco Giants look to improve on the majors’ best record Sunday when they aim for a series sweep of the visiting Minnesota Twins, who have gone 0-for-14 with runners in scoring position in their last two games. Third baseman Pablo Sandoval has four home runs in his last six contests for the Giants, who moved to 31-18 after Saturday’s 2-1 victory. San Francisco has won all five of its interleague games while outscoring its opponents by a combined 22-8.

Minnesota has been held to a total of five runs over its last three games, but help is expected to arrive Monday when outfielders Josh Willingham and Oswaldo Arcia are activated from the disabled list. “Those two guys can both hit the ball a long way, so it’ll be nice to get them back in there,” manager Ron Gardenhire told reporters. Several regulars will likely see their playing time reduced, including Jason Kubel, who is batting .197 with no extra-base hits in 61 at-bats this month.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN North (Minnesota), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Twins RH Ricky Nolasco (2-4, 5.50 ERA) vs. Giants LH Madison Bumgarner (5-3, 3.38)

Nolasco had his streak of three straight quality starts come to an end last Sunday at Seattle, when he allowed three runs over five innings. Several Giants have enjoyed success against Nolasco, including Sandoval (9-for-18, three homers), Hunter Pence (10-for-32, four homers and 11 RBIs) and Buster Posey (8-for-20). The 31-year-old is 5-5 with a 3.27 ERA in 11 career starts against San Francisco.

Bumgarner received a no-decision against the Rockies last Tuesday, when he allowed three runs over six innings and threw 100 pitches. The 23-year-old, who is 3-0 with a 2.88 ERA in his last four starts, is set to face Minnesota for the second time in his career and first since 2011. Bumgarner has gone 2-2 with a 6.20 ERA in four home starts this season while posting a 3-1 mark and 1.88 ERA in six road starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco is 23-4 when scoring first.

2. Twins 1B Joe Mauer is batting .439 (29-for-66) during his 17-game hitting streak against National League opponents.

3. Giants RHP Yusmeiro Petit will start Monday in place of RHP Matt Cain, who is battling a strained right hamstring.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Twins 2