San Diego @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 24, 2014 ) San Diego 7, San Francisco 2

After opening the series by struggling against two rookie pitchers, the San Francisco Giants might be happy to see a familiar face Wednesday against the visiting San Diego Padres. The Giants have been outscored 13-2 in the first two games of the series while failing to generate any consistent offense against young starters Odrisamer Despaigne and Jesse Hahn. They’ll face veteran Ian Kennedy in the series finale without center fielder Angel Pagan, who is expected to be placed on the disabled list Wednesday after missing eight straight games with back stiffness.

San Diego third baseman Chase Headley returned to the starting lineup Tuesday after missing four games with a herniated disc in his back as the Padres secured their first series win in San Francisco since October 2010 with a 7-2 victory. San Francisco’s lead in the National League West over Los Angeles has been cut to three games after losing 11 of its last 14 contests. With Pagan out, the Giants need more production from Gregor Blanco, who has three hits in his last 19 at-bats.

TV: 3:45 p.m. ET, FSN San Diego, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Ian Kennedy (5-8, 3.90 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (5-5, 4.90)

Kennedy is looking to bounce back from a shaky outing against the Dodgers on Friday, when he allowed five runs (four earned) over five innings. The 29-year-old has been the Padres’ most consistent starter this season while pitching at least six innings in 12 of his last 15 starts. Buster Posey is 11-for-30 against Kennedy, who has posted an impressive 7-3 record with a 2.49 ERA in 17 career starts against San Francisco.

After going 1-2 with a 6.85 ERA in his last four starts, Lincecum hopes to get on track against a San Diego team he’s enjoyed facing throughout his career. The two-time Cy Young award winner is 14-6 with a 2.47 ERA in 27 starts against the Padres, including six solid innings in a 4-3 win April 20. Seth Smith is 11-for-37 with three home runs and Headley has four career homers against Lincecum, who has a 6.68 ERA in six outings away from AT&T Park while posting a 3.75 ERA in nine home starts.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco has lost eight of its last nine home games, including five in a row.

2. The Padres are 26-4 when scoring four or more runs.

3. Giants 1B Brandon Belt (broken left thumb) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment Thursday at Class-A San Jose.

PREDICTION: Giants 6, Padres 4