After getting blown out at home, the San Francisco Giants may actually welcome their upcoming road trip, particularly since they'll be visiting the club with the second worst record in all of baseball. After getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers and losing three of four to the New York Mets, the Giants will now visit the Colorado Rockies for a weekend series to right the ship and avoid plummeting anymore in the NL West standings. Despite losing eight of their last 11 games, the Giants still hold a miniscule 1/2 game lead over the Dodgers in the division.
The first game of the series will feature two reunions of players who have recently been traded. For the Giants' Marco Scutaro, the infielder returns to the ballpark he called home for the early part of the season. In 95 games with the Rockies, he had a .271 batting average with 47 runs scored and 30 RBIs. His production in the first half of the season is what made the Giants ultimately target him about a week ago for veteran depth in the infield.
As for the other reunion, this also marks the unlikely showdown with Jonathan Sanchez. After being traded this offseason to the Kansas City Royals in a trade that brought All-Star Melky Cabrera to San Francisco, Sanchez pitched horrifically for the Royals which ultimately led to him being shipped to Colorado. While he's yet to taste success as a member of the Rockies, Sanchez will face a roster he's very familiar with, which may help him avoid losing a career-worst sixth consecutive start.
Pitching for the Giants is Ryan Vogelsong, the pitcher whose breakout season in 2011 helped make Sanchez expendable. The team's most reliable starter all season long, Vogelsong has an amazing 2.22 ERA on the season and even better career numbers against the Rockies (4-0, 1.07 ERA). If the Giants plan on making a turnaround following their recent decline, Vogelsong will be the player who helps them out of their rut.
Matchup:
The San Francisco Giants will host the New York Mets at AT&T Park located in San Francisco, CA on Thursday, August 2, 2012 at 12:45 p.m. PT. This will be the fourth game in a four-game series.
Season series:
Giants lead season series 4-3.
Standings:
San Francisco comes into the matchup with a 51-54 record and in first place in the National League West. They are 25-28 when playing on the road and have won four of their last 10 games.
Colorado enters the game with a 38-65 record and in fifth place in the National League West. They are 21-34 when playing at home and have won two of their last 10 games.
Starting pitcher matchup:
San Francisco: Ryan Vogelsong
2012 season: 8-5, 2.22 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 95 Ks
Numbers vs. Rockies in last five years: 4-0, 0.96 ERA, 0.71 WHIP, 24 Ks
Colorado: Jonathan Sanchez
2012 season: 1-8, 8.32 ERA, 2.09 WHIP, 44 K
Numbers vs. Giants in last five years: No statistics
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be watched live locally at the following:
In San Francisco: CSN-BA HD and KNBR 680
In Colorado: ROOT SPORTS and KOA 850
Batting statistic leaders:
San Francisco: Melky Cabrera - .352 batting average, Buster Posey - 14 home runs, Buster Posey - 62 runs batted in.
Colorado: Carlos Gonzalez - .326 batting average, Carlos Gonzalez - 20 home runs, Carlos Gonzalez - 71 runs batted in.
Sources:
Sanchez to face former team as Rockies meets Giants, MLB.com
Marco Scutaro Profile, Yahoo! Sports
More from this contributor:
Barry Zito Hopes to Help Giants Earn Series Split Over Mets: Fan's Preview
New San Francisco Giants OF Hunter Pence Makes First Star vs. Familiar NL East Foe: Fan's Preview
San Francisco Giants Acquire Hunter Pence from Philadelphia Phillies: Fan's Reaction
Slumping Giants Face Matt Harvey in Second Major League Start: Fan's Preview
San Francisco Giants Acquire Marco Scutaro from Colorado Rockies: Fan's Reaction
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.
