With a sweep of Arizona this weekend, the Giants could pull within four games of the division lead, but winning the series first is all they should be focusing on. Going into the series, San Francisco find themselves seven games back of the division leading D-backs, six of the Dodgers, and one of the Rockies. The major reason why Arizona is leading the division is their ability to defeat divison opponents, going 22-12 against the National League West rivals this season. The Giants are 16-15, but could be worse.
This weekend’s series offers several interesting pitching match-ups, starting tonight with up and coming pitchers Jonathan Sanchez and Dan Haren facing each other in the opening game at 7:15 p.m. Saturday’s game will feature last year’s NL Cy Young winner Brandon Webb pitching against a candidate for this year’s Cy Young award in Tim Lincecum at 6:05 p.m. Sunday’s finale will be an old school lefty-lefty battle between two veterans, Barry Zito and Randy Johnson at 1:05 p.m.
This important series will be equally as important as the next one when the Giants travel to Los Angeles to take on their long time rivals in a three game series starting on Monday.
