Arizona @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 19, 2013 ) Arizona 0, San Francisco 2

The All-Star break came at a good time for Matt Cain, who is coming off the shortest start of his career. Cain looks to get on track Saturday when his San Francisco Giants host the Arizona Diamondbacks after winning Friday’s series opener 2-0. The Giants have won four of their last five games to move within 5 1/2 games of first-place Arizona, which has dropped 11 of its last 14 road contests.

San Francisco’s bullpen received a boost last week with the return of setup man Santiago Casilla, but Arizona is still searching for the best mix in the late innings. J.J. Putz, David Hernandez and Heath Bell have all struggled, leading to speculation that long reliever Josh Collmenter could be used later in games. Collmenter has a 1.69 ERA over his last 12 games, and right-hander Brad Ziegler has also given hope to the beleaguered bullpen with three saves this month.

TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Bay Area

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Wade Miley (6-7, 4.01 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (5-6, 5.06)

Miley has yielded a total of four runs over his last three starts, going 2-0 with a 1.66 ERA over that stretch. The 26-year-old has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 10 of his 12 road starts this season. Buster Posey is 5-for-10 with a home run against Miley, who is 1-2 with a 3.32 ERA in four career games (three starts) against San Francisco.

Cain has posted a 5.15 ERA since the start of June while failing to get out of the third inning in his last two starts. The 28-year-old right-hander insists he is healthy, but he's clearly not the same pitcher who went 4-0 in five May starts. Aaron Hill is 7-for-21 with a home run against Cain, who is 13-6 with a 3.39 ERA in 30 career starts against Arizona.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco 1B Brandon Belt is 14-for-34 with four home runs and 10 RBIs in 10 games against the Diamondbacks this season.

2. Arizona has lost six of its last seven games against the Giants.

3. Giants closer Sergio Romo has a 29-game scoreless streak against the Diamondbacks consisting of 21 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Giants 5