San Francisco @ Colorado preview
Coors Field
Last Meeting ( Jun 28, 2013 ) San Francisco 1, Colorado 4
Michael Cuddyer is showing no signs of slowing down. After extending his franchise-best hitting streak to 25 games with a two-run homer in the series opener, Cuddyer will look to solve right-hander Matt Cain when the Colorado Rockies host the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. Cuddyer belted his 14th homer of the season and sixth of the streak, which is the longest in the majors since then-Miami shortstop Jose Reyes' 26-game stretch in 2012.
Colorado cruised to a 4-1 triumph on Friday for just its third win in 11 games while sending San Francisco to its fifth straight loss. Despite their recent struggles, the Rockies sit three games behind National League West-leading Arizona, while the reeling Giants are just four back. Cain will look to help San Francisco get back on track as he vies for his third win of the season versus Colorado.
TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, Comcast SportsNet Bay Area (San Francisco), ROOT (Colorado)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (5-4, 4.54 ERA) vs. Rockies LH Jorge De La Rosa (8-4, 3.19)
After overcoming a six-run outing in an 8-6 triumph on May 16, Cain handcuffed Colorado 10 days later with a two-hit gem over five innings to improve to 17-7 in his career versus the Rockies. The 28-year-old fell to 1-2 in June after yielding three runs on six hits in as many innings en route to a 7-2 loss to Miami on Sunday. Cain has fanned 18 without walking a batter in his last two outings, but the three homers he allowed aided in his struggles.
Like Cain, De La Rosa has also fared well against his division rival - winning eight of 12 career decisions. The 32-year-old Mexican overcame a five-run performance to collect the win versus the Giants in a wild 10-9 triumph on May 17. De La Rosa posted his sixth victory in seven decisions on Sunday after allowing two runs in six innings in a 7-6 win over Washington.
WALK-OFFS
1. Colorado C Wilin Rosario extended his hitting streak to six games with his 13th homer on Friday. Rosario is 2-for-9 in his career versus Cain.
2. The Rockies have won four of the five meetings with the Giants at Coors Field. Conversely, San Francisco has claimed five of six outings at AT&T Park.
3. Giants C Buster Posey led off the ninth inning with a homer on Friday. Posey is 5-for-16 against De La Rosa in his career.
PREDICTION: Giants 3, Rockies 2