Coming into the season, everyone expected the Giants to have good pitching, and that has been the case, holding the opposition to a minute .215 average. But the Padres have perhaps been even more impressive, limiting opponents to a league-best 3.13 runs per game. The two sides face off, starting a three-game series in San Francisco, with leadership of the NL West going to the victor.
Series Preview: Padres Vs. Giants
↵Tuesday evening, Barry Zito takes the mound for the Giants, and has so far been the pitcher they hoped to get, when they signed him to a seven-year, $126m contract.. He’s already half-way to his previous best win total for the Giants, and has yet to allow a home-run in 42.1 innings. But Wade LeBlanc has allowed just three earned runs so far, with the Padres winning all four starts.
↵That’s the story of the series: Wednesday has Clayton Richard (3.34 ERA) vs. Matt Cain (2.79), and Thursday sees Mat Latos (4.19) against Jonathan Sanchez (3.00). Ironically, each team will miss the other’s “ace”: Jon Garland for the Padres (1.71) and reigning Cy Young holder, Tim Lincecum for the Giants (1.86). But I’d still tend to take the “under” for runs in this series.
↵That’s in part because both teams are merely adequate offensively - San Francisco has an OPS+ of 98, San Diego 96. The Giants have been leaning heavily on Nate Schierholtz and Aaron Rowand, while the Padres look to Adrian Gonzalez and Chase Headley. However, don’t expect long-balls, as the teams have totals of only 27 and 26 home-runs.
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