Arizona @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 19, 2015 ) Arizona 6, San Francisco 0

San Francisco manager Bruce Bochy told reporters following the Giants’ series-opening loss to Arizona that his team probably couldn’t afford another loss, which has been a difficult chore when hosting the Diamondbacks this season. The Giants attempt to break out of an offensive funk and avoid a three-game home sweep on Sunday when they host Arizona.

San Francisco has been shut out 14 times in 2015, five of which have come against the Diamondbacks – all at AT&T Park – following Saturday’s 6-0 setback. The loss further crippled the dwindling postseason hopes of the defending World Series champions, who remain 8 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West with 14 games remaining. Arizona is 8-1 at San Francisco this season and can tie a single-season franchise mark – set in 2001 and 2002 – with its 12th win over the Giants with another victory in the finale. The Diamondbacks, who have blanked the Giants in 30 consecutive scoreless innings at AT&T Park, will attempt to extend another club record by defeating San Francisco at home for the seventh straight time.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, FSN Arizona, CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Jeremy Hellickson (9-9, 4.78 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Hudson (7-8, 4.42)
Hellickson was pummeled in one of the worst starts of his career on Monday versus San Diego, surrendering five runs (three earned) while throwing 21 balls versus 16 strikes in one inning of work. The outing was his first in nearly a month after a stint on the disabled list following his August 17 victory at Pittsburgh – an outing in which he collected his first road victory in 2 ½ months. Hellickson faced the Giants in two of his first three starts of the season, winning in San Francisco on April 19 after allowing one run over 6 2/3 innings.
Hudson came up two outs short of reaching the .500 mark for the first time the season, allowing one run in 4 1/3 frames while walking his first three batters over his last five turns. The four-time All-Star has not lost over that span, although the 40-year-old - who will retire at the end of the season - has made two of his three career relief appearances over that time. Hudson worked six strong innings at Arizona on Sept. 8 to improve to 10-2 with a 2.31 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 15 career starts against the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS
1. Saturday marked the first time the Giants have been shut out in consecutive games since July 2012. San Francisco hasn’t been blanked in three straight since June 1992.
2. The Diamondbacks haven’t had a pitcher 30 years of age or older make a start since Brandon McCarthy on July 3, 2014 – a span of 223 straight games.
3. Giants 1B Brandon Belt, who was diagnosed with a concussion after sliding into second base on Tuesday, isn't expected back in the lineup for a few more days.

PREDICTION: Giants 3, Diamondbacks 2