San Francisco @ Miami preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 16, 2013 ) San Francisco 14, Miami 10

After combining for 24 runs in their series opener, the Miami Marlins and San Francisco Giants can’t be expected to maintain that pace in Saturday’s contest. The two lowest scoring teams in the National League exploded for a total of 35 hits on Friday, when first baseman Brandon Belt went 4-for-6 and helped the Giants prevail with a 14-10 win. Belt is hitting .432 (19-for-44) during his season-high 11-game hitting streak.

The Marlins finished with 16 hits, but struggling right fielder Giancarlo Stanton was held to one single in five at-bats. The 23-year-old slugger is batting .143 (7-for-49) in August, and he last homered on July 28. “I usually like growing experiences, but this one I don’t like,” Stanton said. “As annoying as it is, hopefully this time is the only time it will be this long.”

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, CSNBA (San Francisco), FS Florida (Miami)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Matt Cain (7-8, 4.44 ERA) vs. Marlins RH Henderson Alvarez (2-1, 3.18)

Cain has been one of baseball’s best pitchers since the All-Star break, tossing quality starts in four of his last five outings while posting a 2.38 ERA over that stretch. The 28-year-old is 2-0 with a 0.91 ERA over his last four road starts. Stanton is 4-for-15 with two homers against Cain, who is 4-4 with a 3.11 ERA in 12 career starts against the Marlins.

Alvarez had his string of five straight quality starts snapped against Atlanta last Sunday, when he surrendered four runs in six innings. The 23-year-old has issued two or fewer walks in each of his last six starts, going 2-0 with a 2.48 ERA in that span. He’s displayed superb control while allowing one home run in his first 51 innings this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Giants have won 11 of their last 12 games when scoring at least four runs.

2. Marlins RHP Arquimedes Caminero threw one scoreless inning in his major-league debut on Friday.

3. Miami 3B Placido Polanco is day-to-day after being hit in the helmet by a Santiago Casilla fastball on Friday. Manager Mike Redmond said Polanco did not suffer a concussion.

PREDICTION: Giants 4, Marlins 1