With the NL West title settled, the San Francisco Giants have little to play for aside from an outside chance at catching the Washington Nationals and Cincinnati Reds in the standings. While the rest of their regular season games are less important, Barry Zito has a lot to prove in this final Giants home start.
Earlier in the week, Giants manager Bruce Bochy said that all five of his starting pitchers will be on the roster. In 2010, Zito's season resulted in him being left off the postseason roster. With four of these five pitchers starting in the playoffs, this start could help determine if Zito starts over Ryan Vogelsong.
As for the Diamondbacks, they are on the verge of elimination from the second National League Wild Card spot. With their elimination number down to two, left-hander Patrick Corbin looks to bounce back from his last start where he struggled through the three innings he pitched. This will be the third time Corbin faces the Giants in September.
Matchup:
The San Francisco Giants will host the Arizona Diamondbacks at AT&T Park located in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, September 27, 2012 at 12:45 p.m. PT. This will be the third game in a three-game series.
Season series:
Diamondbacks lead series 9-8.
Standings:
Arizona comes into the matchup with a 78-77 record and in third place in the National League West. They are 40-40 when playing on the road and have won seven of their last 10 games.
San Francisco enters the game with a 90-65 record and in first place in the National League West. They are 47-33 when playing at home and have won seven of their last 10 games.
Starting pitcher matchup:
Arizona: Patrick Corbin
2012 season: 6-7, 4.36 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 80 Ks
Career numbers vs. Giants: 2-0, 3.15 ERA, 0.95 WHIP, 15 Ks
Career numbers at AT&T Park: 0-0, 7.20 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 6 Ks
San Francisco: Barry Zito
2012 season: 13-8, 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, 105 Ks
Career numbers vs. Diamondbacks: 6-8, 5.01 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 81 K
Career numbers at AT&T Park: 29-35, 4.21 ERA, 1.38 WHIP, 355 Ks
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be watched and heard live locally at the following:
In Arizona: FS-A, KTAR 620, ESPN Deportes 710 & Jose 106.9 FM
In San Francisco: CSN-BA HD & KNBR 680
Lineups:
Arizona: CF A.J. Pollock, 2B Aaron Hill, RF Justin Upton, 1B Paul Goldschmidt, C Miguel Montero, LF Jason Kubel, 3B Cody Ransom, SS Jake Elmore, P Patrick Corbin
San Francisco: CF Angel Pagan, 2B Marco Scutaro, 3B Pablo Sandoval, 1B Buster Posey, RF Hunter Pence, LF Brandon Belt, C Hector Sanchez, SS Joaquin Arias, P Barry Zito
Sources:
Corbin seeking more success against Giants, MLB.com
Diamondbacks-Giants Preview, AP
Thursday's Giants lineup: Belt is in left field, Giants Extra, Bay Area News Group
More from this contributor:
Giants vs. Diamondbacks Features Two All-Star Starting Pitchers: Fan's Preview
Giants' Tim Lincecum Preps for Playoffs Against Diamondbacks: Fan's Preview
San Francisco Giants Will Have Barry Zito on 2012 Postseason Roster: Fan's Take
Melky Cabrera's Refusal of Batting Title is Small Step Towards Repairing Image: Fan's Take
San Francisco Giants Clinch NL West, Go For San Diego Padres Sweep on Sunday: 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 Google+ and Twitter @_austinchang.
