Arizona @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 11, 2014 ) Arizona 0, San Francisco 5

The San Francisco Giants look like the best team in the National League over the last month whenever Tim Lincecum pitches. They will attempt to show that form with someone else on the mound when they try to clinch the three-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks. The Giants are 9-21 over their last 30 games but three of those wins have come over the Diamondbacks, who managed five hits in Friday’s 5-0 setback.

Lincecum is responsible for four of those wins while the rest of the staff has battled inconsistency and poor run support. San Francisco is still fighting for the top of the NL West despite the poor month, while Arizona owns the worst record in the NL and is the only team left in the senior circuit without at least 40 wins. The Diamondbacks have some players that will be intriguing to other teams at the trade deadline, but they are not looking to gut the roster and will continue to battle to remain a factor in the division.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (4-6, 4.43 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (5-6, 3.92)

Miley is working his way out of a rough patch with two straight strong outings, allowing a total of three runs and nine hits in 14 2/3 innings. The Louisiana native struck out 18 and issued only one walk in those starts at Pittsburgh and Atlanta. Miley earned a win in his last start against San Francisco, allowing four runs on six hits and striking out five in seven innings on April 1.

Vogelsong has lost three straight starts despite not allowing more than three earned runs in any. The veteran received a total of one run of support in those three turns while striking out 19 in 18 1/3 innings. Vogelsong’s last win came at Arizona on June 21, when he yielded four runs in five innings but got enough help from his offense in a 6-4 triumph.

WALK-OFFS

1. Giants 2B Marco Scutaro (back) was activated Friday and expects to make his first start Saturday.

2. Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt has reached base safely in 31 straight games.

3. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt went 2-for-3 Friday for his first multi-hit game since coming off the DL on July 4.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 5, Giants 2