The Arizona Diamondbacks and San Francisco Giants begin a critical three-game series in the National League West Monday night at AT&T Park

Arizona Diamondbacks at San Francisco Giants

Arizona captured two of three games in Los Angeles over the weekend and moved within two games in the divisional race heading to the Bay Area.  The Diamondbacks are now 17-12-6 in series play this season and 10-6 since the All-Star break at their home ballpark. In order to gain ground, Arizona will need to improve upon its 2-7 mark versus San Francisco this year.  “They’re a good team, there’s no doubt about it,” said Diamondbacks catcher Miguel Montero.  “It’s a competition and we’ve got to compete.”  Arizona is 27-21 against winning teams this year and 20-18 versus division opponents.

Diamondbacks starting pitcher Ian Kennedy is 12-3 with a 3.22 ERA in 22 starts this season and is riding a four-game win streak.  He has enjoyed an incredible season by posting a career-high in wins, while also allowing no more than one run in 10 games.  Kennedy has tallied an impressive 7-1 mark and 3.32 ERA in 10 road games, sending down 56 batters via strikeout in 65 frames.  In seven career games versus the Giants, the 26-year-old is 1-2 despite carrying a 1.81 ERA, including an 0-1 mark and 2.37 ERA in three outings at AT&T Park.

San Francisco finished out its road trip by getting swept in a four-game series in Cincinnati, which may have been a letdown from winning two of three in Philadelphia earlier in the week.  It marked the fifth time the club had been swept this year, but that may be good as each previous instance was followed up by a great run.  There’s no better place to do it than AT&T Park, as the Giants have won 17 of the last 21 meetings against the Diamondbacks on the shores of McCovey Cove.  San Francisco is 32-18 at home overall this season and a dominating 27-15 versus NL West opposition.

Giants starting pitcher Matt Cain is 9-6 with a 2.91 ERA in 22 starts this season and the club has posted a 14-8 record in his contests.  The right-hander’s 17 quality starts are the third-most in the National League behind Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay and Cole Hamels.  Cain brings in a 5-3 mark and 2.71 ERA in 10 home games, limiting the opposition to a .215 average.  In 20 lifetime appearances versus the Diamondbacks, he has tallied a 9-4 record and 3.32 ERA, going 3-0 with a 3.54 ERA in three starts this year.

Bettors will likely back the Giants due to their 20-7 record in Cain’s last 27 tries as a favorite, while the Diamondbacks are 6-11 on the road when the total is 7 or less