Miami @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jun 22, 2013 ) Miami 1, San Francisco 2

One day after snapping a nine-game home losing streak to the Miami Marlins, the San Francisco Giants will try to salvage a split of the four-game series on Sunday. The Giants haven’t hit a home run in a season-high eight straight games, and they're eagerly awaiting the expected return of third baseman Pablo Sandoval (foot) on Monday at Dodger Stadium. Center fielder Andres Torres is expected to return for Sunday’s series finale after missing one game with a bruised knee.

Marlins rookie second baseman Derek Dietrich was held out of Saturday’s game as he works to break out of a 1-for-13 slump. The 23-year-old Dietrich has six home runs since being called up on May 8, but his average has dropped to a season-low .204. “He’s pressing a bit,” Marlins hitting coach Tino Martinez told reporters. “I think, since his average has gone down, he’s trying to compensate by trying to hit home runs.”

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, Fox Sports Florida, Comcast SportsNet-Bay Area

PITCHING MATCHUP: Marlins RH Nathan Eovaldi (0-0, 3.00 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (5-3, 4.55)

Eovaldi returned from a shoulder injury to make his season debut last Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, giving up two runs over six innings and hitting 99 mph on the radar gun. “I was pleasantly surprised,” Marlins manager Mike Redmond told reporters. “He was able to maintain his fastball over the course of his 84 pitches. He was really good.”

Cain has posted a 1.31 ERA over his last three starts, and the Giants have won eight of his last 10 outings. He struck out a season-high 10 batters over seven innings before receiving a no-decision against San Diego last Tuesday. Giancarlo Stanton is 3-for-12 with two homers against Cain, who is 4-3 with a 3.00 ERA in 11 career starts against the Marlins.

WALK-OFFS

1. The first six games on the Marlins’ seven-game road trip have been decided in the eighth inning or later.

2. After Sunday’s series finale, the Giants head out for a 10-game, 11-day road trip against the Dodgers, Colorado and Cincinnati.

3. Marlins closer Steve Cishek owns a 1.00 ERA in 10 appearances in June with seven saves in eight chances.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Marlins 1