Preview: Padres at Giants
GAME: San Diego Padres (9-16) at San Francisco Giants (9-15)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, April 29 - 9:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
Matt Cain hasn't recorded double digits in victories since 2012 but is showing signs of rediscovering the form that once made him one of the National League's top pitchers. The three-time All-Star has allowed a total of two runs over his last three starts as he prepares for Saturday's turn against the visiting San Diego Padres in the middle contest of a three-game series.
The 32-year-old Cain had his career derailed by arm injuries and hasn't pitched 100 or more innings in a season since 2013. The Giants moved out of the NL West basement with Friday's 4-3 victory but have scored only 81 runs - the second-fewest in the majors. San Francisco received a tiebreaking homer from rookie Christian Arroyo in the eighth inning, his second blast in five games since joining the team. San Diego has lost six of its last seven games, but Ryan Schimpf isn't to blame after going deep for the third straight contest.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN San Diego, NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (2-3, 5.90 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (2-0, 2.42)
Chacin defeated the Giants on April 8, when he scattered three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. The 29-year-old tossed eight scoreless frames against Arizona in his other victory but was pounded for 19 earned runs over 14 1/3 innings in his three defeats. Chacin is 6-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 16 career appearances (15 starts) versus San Francisco and has shut down Brandon Belt (3-for-22).
Cain allowed two hits in six scoreless innings to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in his latest outing and has given up just 11 hits in 18 frames during the three-start stretch. He has recorded an 0.82 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in two home starts and has limited opposing batters to a .225 average in 166 career appearances (163 starts) at AT&T Park. Cain is just 8-14 against the Padres despite posting a 3.23 ERA in 37 career appearances (36 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants announced Friday that star LHP Madison Bumgarner (shoulder/ribs) will be out through at least the All-Star break after being injured nine days ago in a dirt bike accident.
2. Belt went 3-for-3 and scored twice in the series opener.
3. San Diego 1B Wil Myers has struck out in 12 of his last 23 at-bats.
PREDICTION: Giants 5, Padres 2
GAME: San Diego Padres (9-16) at San Francisco Giants (9-15)
DATE/TIME: Saturday, April 29 - 9:05 PM EST
WHERE: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California
Matt Cain hasn't recorded double digits in victories since 2012 but is showing signs of rediscovering the form that once made him one of the National League's top pitchers. The three-time All-Star has allowed a total of two runs over his last three starts as he prepares for Saturday's turn against the visiting San Diego Padres in the middle contest of a three-game series.
The 32-year-old Cain had his career derailed by arm injuries and hasn't pitched 100 or more innings in a season since 2013. The Giants moved out of the NL West basement with Friday's 4-3 victory but have scored only 81 runs - the second-fewest in the majors. San Francisco received a tiebreaking homer from rookie Christian Arroyo in the eighth inning, his second blast in five games since joining the team. San Diego has lost six of its last seven games, but Ryan Schimpf isn't to blame after going deep for the third straight contest.
TV: 9:05 p.m. ET, MLB Network, FSN San Diego, NBC Sports Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Padres RH Jhoulys Chacin (2-3, 5.90 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (2-0, 2.42)
Chacin defeated the Giants on April 8, when he scattered three hits over 6 2/3 scoreless innings. The 29-year-old tossed eight scoreless frames against Arizona in his other victory but was pounded for 19 earned runs over 14 1/3 innings in his three defeats. Chacin is 6-6 with a 3.22 ERA in 16 career appearances (15 starts) versus San Francisco and has shut down Brandon Belt (3-for-22).
Cain allowed two hits in six scoreless innings to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers in his latest outing and has given up just 11 hits in 18 frames during the three-start stretch. He has recorded an 0.82 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in two home starts and has limited opposing batters to a .225 average in 166 career appearances (163 starts) at AT&T Park. Cain is just 8-14 against the Padres despite posting a 3.23 ERA in 37 career appearances (36 starts).
WALK-OFFS
1. The Giants announced Friday that star LHP Madison Bumgarner (shoulder/ribs) will be out through at least the All-Star break after being injured nine days ago in a dirt bike accident.
2. Belt went 3-for-3 and scored twice in the series opener.
3. San Diego 1B Wil Myers has struck out in 12 of his last 23 at-bats.
PREDICTION: Giants 5, Padres 2