Miami @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 20, 2013 ) Miami 2, San Francisco 1

The Miami Marlins own the majors’ worst record at 23-49, but they sure enjoy playing in San Francisco. Miami has won eight in a row against the Giants at AT&T Park heading into Friday’s matchup. San Francisco third baseman Pablo Sandoval (foot) is expected to return Monday, but center fielder Angel Pagan could be out for an extended period after being carted off the field with an apparent knee injury during a rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose on Thursday.

The Marlins won the series opener 2-1 on Thursday when rookie Marcell Ozuna broke out of a 1-for-24 slump with a pinch-hit, two-run single in the eighth. “That hit tonight, picking up the game-winner, is going to be huge for his confidence,’’ Marlins manager Mike Redmond told reporters. Confidence isn’t a problem for right fielder Giancarlo Stanton, who is hitting .343 with four homers in 10 games since coming off the disabled list.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida, NBC-Bay Area

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Ricky Nolasco (4-7, 3.61 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (4-7, 4.57)

Nolasco earned his 80th career win last Sunday against St. Louis, giving up one run on three hits over seven innings. San Francisco could be a potential trade-deadline destination for Nolasco, who becomes a free agent at season’s end. The 30-year-old right-hander is 5-3 with a 1.83 ERA in eight career starts against the Giants, including 4-0 with a 0.87 ERA in four career starts at AT&T Park.

Lincecum has surrendered two earned runs or fewer in each of his last three starts, but his control issues have become a major concern. He owns an 81-to-39 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and he needed 108 pitches to get through six innings against Atlanta last Sunday. Lincecum, who is 2-1 with a 3.67 ERA in four career starts against the Marlins, has lost seven of his last nine decisions overall.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford (sprained fingers) is listed as day-to-day after being held out of the starting lineup the last two games.

2. After losing 24 of its first 30 road games, Miami has won four of its last six away from Marlins Park.

3. Giants INF Joaquin Arias has hit safely in a career-high 11 consecutive games, batting .364 (16-for-44) during his streak.

PREDICTION: Marlins 5, Giants 2