Philadelphia @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 25, 2016 ) Philadelphia 3, San Francisco 2

Less than 24 hours after recording one of the more surprising victories of the season, the Philadelphia Phillies visit the San Francisco Giants on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series. The Phillies snapped the Giants’ four-game winning streak on Saturday, posting a 3-2 victory after scoring three runs in the seventh inning against ace Madison Bumgarner.

Despite the loss, the Giants still hold a seven-game lead over the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West while being tied with Texas and the Chicago Cubs for most victories in the majors (48). Brandon Belt is making a strong case for a spot on the NL All-Star roster with a .307 average over his last 31 games for San Francisco, which has gone 31-10 since May 11. The Giants have several top candidates for the All-Star Game, but Philadelphia may have only one representative after losing 14 of its last 17 games. Closer Jeanmar Gomez bolstered his credentials with his 20th save in Saturday’s victory while Odubel Herrera is batting .296 with seven home runs and 11 stolen bases.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Aaron Nola (5-7, 4.11 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (11-1, 2.06)

Nola tossed six scoreless innings against Milwaukee on June 5 but has struggled in his last three starts, allowing a total of 17 earned runs and 22 hits while issuing seven walks over 9 2/3 innings. The 23-year-old is the first Phillies starter to pitch four or fewer innings and allow four or more runs in three consecutive starts since Gavin Floyd in April 2005. “It’s tough, tough for the team, when I go three innings,” Nola told reporters. “I’m trying to figure something out.”

Cueto extended his career-best winning streak to eight games on Tuesday by holding Pittsburgh to one run and four hits over 6 2/3 innings. The 30-year-old has struggled in his career against the Phillies, going 1-4 with a 5.05 ERA in nine starts while pitching for Cincinnati. Ryan Howard is 4-for-21 with a home run against Cueto, who entered the weekend tied for the NL lead in wins (11) while ranking second in innings pitched (109 1/3) and fourth in ERA (2.06).

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia C Cameron Rupp is 6-for-19 with three home runs during his five-game hitting streak.

2. Giants RHP Cory Gearrin has allowed one run over 14 1/3 innings in his last 16 games.

3. The Phillies have lost 13 of their last 17 meetings with the Giants.

PREDICTION: Giants 7, Phillies 2