Pittsburgh @ San Francisco preview
AT&T Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 23, 2013 ) Pittsburgh 3, San Francisco 1
The Pittsburgh Pirates look to continue their success on their seven-game road trip when they visit the San Francisco Giants for the third contest of their four-game series Saturday. Clint Barmes belted a three-run homer in the seventh inning Friday as Pittsburgh posted a 3-1 triumph and maintained its one-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League Central. The Pirates improved to 4-1 on their trek following a stretch during which they lost seven of nine contests.
Pittsburgh (76-52) no longer owns the best record in the major leagues thanks to the slump but only trails the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves (77-51) by one game. San Francisco (56-72) sits on the opposite end of the spectrum as it occupies last place in the NL West, two games behind the San Diego Padres. The Giants have lost five of their last six contests and are 1-4 on their seven-game homestand.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, ROOT (Pittsburgh), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates LH Francisco Liriano (14-5, 2.53 ERA) vs. Giants RH Tim Lincecum (6-13, 4.53)
Liriano has been virtually untouchable in five of his last six starts, blanking the opposition three times and allowing one run twice while yielding fewer than five hits over at least seven innings in all five outings. The 29-year-old Dominican is making his fourth straight start on the road, a stretch that began with an abominable performance at Colorado in which he surrendered 10 runs and 12 hits in 2 1/3 frames. Liriano won his only career start against San Francisco on June 12, when he yielded four runs over six innings.
Lincecum lost each of his previous two starts, surrendering a total of 11 runs and 16 hits in 11 innings. The 29-year-old two-time Cy Young Award winner yielded three runs over 22 frames in his previous three outings but recorded only one victory. Lincecum fell to 1-3 lifetime against the Pirates after allowing four runs - two earned - in 4 2/3 innings at Pittsburgh on June 11.
WALK-OFFS
1. Liriano has allowed only five home runs in 121 innings this season, the fewest among major-league starters.
2. San Francisco has scored three runs or fewer in four of its last five games.
3. Pirates C Russell Martin has thrown out a major league-high 32 potential basestealers.
PREDICTION: Pirates 5, Giants 1