Colorado @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( May 19, 2013 ) San Francisco 0, Colorado 5

The Colorado Rockies expect to have closer Rafael Betancourt (groin) and outfielder Michael Cuddyer (neck) available on Friday when they open a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park. Josh Rutledge won’t be joining them, however. The second baseman was optioned to Triple-A Colorado Springs on Wednesday after batting .242 and struggling in the field. DJ LeMahieu, batting .412 in seven games, will take over Rutledge’s starting job.

Colorado enters the series in a three-way tie atop the National League West with Arizona and San Francisco, which is 17-8 at home. Second baseman Marco Scutaro, who was traded to the Giants from Colorado last July, had his 19-game hitting streak snapped Wednesday against Washington. Scutaro improved his average to .331 after hitting .481 during the streak. The Giants bounced back from a 1-5 road trip at Toronto and Colorado by taking two of three against the Nationals.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), NBC Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH Tyler Chatwood (2-0, 2.55 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (3-3, 4.70)

Chatwood is set to make his second consecutive start against Lincecum and the Giants after giving up one run over 5 2/3 innings last Saturday. He’s making a case to stick in the Rockies’ rotation with wins in two of his three starts this season. Angel Pagan has one hit in 11 at-bats against the 23-year-old Chatwood, who is 2-2 with one save and a 2.57 ERA in five career games (four starts) against San Francisco.

Lincecum has lost three of his last four decisions, allowing 18 earned runs in 31 innings over that stretch. He’s 0-1 with a 9.82 ERA in two starts against Colorado this season, and he’s allowed six runs each time. Wilin Rosario is 6-for-14 with two homers against Lincecum, who threw 92 pitches in five innings last Saturday in the Giants’ 10-2 loss to Colorado. He’s owns a career record of 11-8 with a 3.99 ERA in 25 career starts against the Rockies.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rockies LHP reliever Rex Brothers has thrown 18 consecutive scoreless innings.

2. Giants C Buster Posey has hit safely in 13 of his last 14 games, batting .340 (17-for-50) with nine RBI.

3. Chatwood has allowed three or fewer runs in nine of his 11 career starts against National League West opponents.

PREDICTION: Rockies 7, Giants 6