NL West Matchup
The Arizona Diamondbacks returned home from a seven-game road trip stumbling a bit. Opening a homestand against the slumping San Francisco Giants should help them get back on track.
The NL West-leading Diamondbacks look to continue their home dominance over the Giants when they open a three-game series on Tuesday.
Oddsmakers from Sportsbook.com have made Arizona -150 money line favorites (MLB Odds) for tonight’s game, the over/under has been set at 8 total runs (Matchup). Current public betting information shows that 60% of bets for this game have been placed on San Francisco +140 (View MLB Bet Percentages).
Arizona (30-21) is coming off a 7-3 loss to Atlanta on Monday, as ace Brandon Webb was tagged for seven runs – four earned. Webb, who won his first nine starts of the year, lost two games on a road trip that saw the Diamondbacks drop five of seven games.
Right fielder Justin Upton was hitless in 20 at-bats on the trip, as the team scored three runs or fewer in their five losses.
"It will be good to get home," Arizona manager Bob Melvin told the team’s official Web site.
The Diamondbacks hope things get turned around at Chase Field, where they have won six of seven, and are 19-8 this season. They’ve been even better at home against San Francisco (20-31).
Arizona has won four straight home games over the Giants and 11 of its last 13 over them at Chase Field dating to 2006. The Diamondbacks are 4-1 against the Giants this season and have won 14 of the last 20 meetings.
Arizona first baseman Conor Jackson, who was given the day off Monday, is 6-for-19 (.316) with two homers and six RBIs versus San Francisco this season.
The Giants, meanwhile, were swept in a doubleheader at Florida on Sunday, and have dropped eight of 11. They have also lost seven of 10 on the road.
Dan Haren (5-3, 3.39 ERA) takes the ball for the Diamondbacks, looking to maintain his perfect record at home.
Arizona acquired Haren from Oakland in December, and he has been right at home at Chase Field, going 5-0 with a 2.27 ERA in six starts this season.
The right-hander has posted a 2.25 ERA in winning his last four decisions against the Giants after going 0-4 with a 4.91 ERA in his first four outings against them. This will be Haren’s first start against San Francisco as a member of the Diamondbacks.
On Thursday, Haren allowed four runs, eight hits and had a season-high eight strikeouts in 6 1-3 innings of a 4-0 loss at Florida.
San Francisco counters with Tim Lincecum (6-1, 2.17), who looks to remain perfect on the road.
While the team he pitches for has really struggled on the road, Lincecum is 4-0 with a 1.23 ERA in five games away from San Francisco this season.
The right-hander is coming off a tough outing, as he allowed three runs, five hits, four walks, struck out six and needed 113 pitches to go five innings of a 6-5 win over Colorado last Tuesday.
"In my eyes, this was one of my worst outings ever," Lincecum said. "I battled, but I never want to go through that again."
In two career starts against the Diamondbacks, Lincecum is 1-0 with a 1.32 ERA. This will be his first career start at Chase Field.
Giants catcher Bengie Molina finished Sunday’s doubleheader 6-for-7 with five RBIs, and is 18-for-30 (.600) with a homer, seven doubles and 11 RBIs during an eight-game hitting streak. Molina is 2-for-9 with a homer lifetime against Haren.
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