Arizona @ San Francisco preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 1, 2013 ) San Francisco 8, Arizona 2

Pablo Sandoval broke out of a homerless drought in a major way and looks to keep his power bat hot when the San Francisco Giants open a four-game home series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday. Sandoval hit three homers and drove in a career-best six runs in a 13-5 victory over San Diego after having hit just two homers since May 21. Sandoval also slammed three homers in Game 1 of the 2012 World Series against Detroit.

Arizona defeated Toronto in 10 innings on Wednesday to snap a three-game losing streak and is a distant seven games behind the Cincinnati Reds for the National League’s second wild card. The Diamondbacks have struggled against the Giants, winning just five of 15 meetings against their NL West rivals. Brandon Crawford, Hunter Pence and Hector Sanchez also homered in Wednesday’s drubbing of the Padres as San Francisco’s six homers set a record for most in a single game by one team in Petco Park’s 10-season history.

TV: 10:15 p.m. ET, FSN (Arizona), CSN Bay Area (San Francisco)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RB Trevor Cahill (5-10, 4.39 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (3-4, 5.49 ERA)

Cahill has won his last two decisions as he attempts to salvage a disappointing campaign. He settled for a no-decision against San Francisco in his last turn, when he allowed three runs and nine hits in 6 1/3 innings. Cahill is 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three starts against the Giants this year and has a 4-3 record and 3.68 ERA in 10 career outings.

Vogelsong matched up against Cahill last Saturday and also received a no-decision, allowing three runs and nine hits in six innings. He has pitched well since coming off the disabled list in early August, going 1-0 with a 2.93 ERA in five starts. Vogelsong is 2-3 with a 4.25 ERA in 15 career appearances (nine starts) against the Diamondbacks.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks 3B Martin Prado earned NL Player of the Month honors for August after hitting with .374 with 30 RBIs.

2. Giants C Buster Posey (finger) sat out Wednesday’s game, and his availability for the opener is uncertain.

3. Arizona 2B Aaron Hill is in a 1-for-17 rut but has gone 7-for-14 against Vogelsong in his career.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Giants 5