Things could not be looking any better for the San Francisco Giants right now. After Wednesday's 7-1 win over the Colorado Rockies, the Giants are now 10-2 against the Rockies since the start of August and look to complete a four-game sweep of the worst NL West team. With their win and a split doubleheader by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who were facing the Washington Nationals, the Giants' magic number for clinching the NL West title is 5.
To complete the sweep, Barry Zito will look to lead the Giants to their ninth straight win in a game he has started. After an August 2 start against the New York Mets, Zito has been above average in the eight games since, going 4-0 with 28 strikeouts and a 4.08 ERA.
Opposite of Zito is Jorge De La Rosa, who is making his season debut after suffering an elbow injury in 2011 that forced him to undergo Tommy John surgery. A 16-game winner with Colorado in 2009, he is 7-2 with a 2.91 ERA against the Giants throughout his career. One of the better Rockies starters when healthy, De La Rosa looks to make a splash in his road back to the majors by stopping one of the hottest teams in baseball.
Matchup:
The San Francisco Giants will host the Colorado Rockies at AT&T Park located in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, September 20, 2012 at 12:45 p.m. PT. This will be the fourth game in a four-game series.
Season series:
Giants lead series 13-4.
Standings:
Colorado comes into the matchup with a 58-90 record and in fifth place in the National League West. They are 27-47 when playing on the road and have won two of their last 10 games.
San Francisco enters the game with an 86-63 record and in first place in the National League West. They are 43-31 when playing at home and have won eight of their last 10 games.
Starting pitcher matchup:
Colorado: Jorge De La Rosa
2012 season: No statistics
Career numbers vs. Giants: 7-2, 2.91 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 67 Ks
Career numbers at AT&T Park: 3-1, 1.56 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 36 Ks
San Francisco: Barry Zito
2012 season: 12-8, 4.21 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 99 Ks
Career numbers vs. Rockies: 6-2, 2.59 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, 83 K
Career numbers at AT&T Park: 28-35, 4.22 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 349 Ks
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be watched and heard live locally at the following:
In Colorado: ROOT SPORTS & KOA 850
In San Francisco: CSN-BA HD & KNBR 680
Lineups:
Colorado: 2B Josh Rutledge, C Jordan Pacheco, LF Carlos Gonzalez, 1B Wilin Rosario, 3B Chris Nelson, RF Andrew Brown, CF Tyler Colvin, SS Jonathan Herrera, P Jorge De La Rosa
San Francisco: CF Angel Pagan, 2B Marco Scutaro, 3B Pablo Sandoval, 1B Buster Posey, RF Hunter Pence, C Hector Sanchez, LF Xavier Nady, SS Joaquin Arias, P Barry Zito
Sources:
Zito looks to inch Giants closer to playoff berth, MLB.com
Barry Zito Game Log, Yahoo! Sports
Giants lineup: Arias at short, Posey at first, CSN Bay Area
More from this contributor:
Giants' Matt Cain Goes for Career-High 15th Win Against Rockies: Fan's Preview
San Francisco Giants' Tim Lincecum Looks to Continue Roll Over Colorado Rockies: Fan's Preview
Madison Bumgarner and Jhoulys Chacin Meet Again in San Francisco: Fan's Preview
Fan's Preview: Will Ryan Vogelsong Lead Giants to Sweep Over Diamondbacks?
Barry Zito Goes for Season-High Win Total as Member of Giants: Fan's Preview
Austin Chang is a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area native, baseball fan, and supporter of the San Francisco Giants. Follow this Featured Contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
