Colorado @ San Francisco preview
AT&T Park
Last Meeting ( Jun 15, 2014 ) Colorado 8, San Francisco 7
After dropping two of three to the National League's best team on the road, the San Francisco Giants hope a return home for four games with the NL-worst Colorado Rockies will help them strengthen their hold on the NL's second wild card. The Giants are clinging to a one-game lead over Atlanta for the final playoff spot after losing the final two games at Washington over the weekend. San Francisco's Jake Peavy aims to win a third consecutive start.
Rookie left-hander Tyler Matzek takes the mound for Colorado looking for his first win since tossing seven scoreless innings against Pittsburgh on July 26 and he is 0-5 with an 8.06 ERA since then. Colorado went 6-3 on its homestand that wrapped up Sunday, but the Rockies are a major-league-worst 18-44 on the road. The Giants have struggled at home lately, losing 23 of their last 33 at AT&T Park.
TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, ROOT (Colorado), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies LH Tyler Matzek (2-9, 5.38 ERA) vs. Giants RH Jake Peavy (3-12, 4.48)
Matzek has lost his last five decisions -- four of them starts -- but he pitched well last time out. He took a 2-1 lead into the seventh against Kansas City, but the bullpen allowed two inherited runners to score and the 23-year-old was tagged with the loss. The Mission Viejo, Calif., native has never faced the Giants.
Peavy had lost 12 consecutive decisions after dropping his first three starts with the Giants, but he has put together two straight strong outings. He struck out eight and scattered 10 hits while beating the Chicago Cubs on Wednesday, allowing two runs over seven innings. The 33-year-old is 5-6 with a 4.10 ERA in 19 career starts against Colorado.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants are 49-15 when they score first and 19-46 when the opponent strikes first.
2. Rockies C Wilin Rosario (wrist) has not played since Friday but hopes to return to the lineup Monday. Rosario has 10 home runs against the Giants, more than any other opponent.
3. Giants RF Hunter Pence is 8-for-27 during a six-game hitting streak, while CF Angel Pagan is 8-for-24 during a five-game streak.
PREDICTION: Giants 6, Rockies 4