Giants@Dodgers July 6/9

[Giants666]

Thursday, July 6 Dodger Stadium | 7:10 PM PT

Matt Cain, RHP (6-6, 5.05)VS.Mark Hendrickson, LHP (4-9, 3.71)

Scouting Report:
Cain had a solid performance vs. the Padres at PETCO Park on Saturday, allowing only two runs over six innings while striking out a career-high 11 batters but took a no-decision as the Giants couldn't hold a 3-2 lead. Over his last eight appearances, the rookie is 5-1 with two no-decisions, but his ERA has dropped 0.15 points with his three-hit effort vs. the Friars.
Hendrickson's Dodgers debut didn't go well. Four of the five runs he allowed were unearned, although he made one of the errors. Then he was hit on the bicep tendon with a line drive by Vladimir Guerrero. It will take a few days to determine if he can make this start.

Friday, July 7 Dodger Stadium | 7:40 PM PT

Matt Morris, RHP (7-7, 4.12)VS.Chad Billingsley, RHP (0-2, 4.91)

Scouting Report:
Morris won his fourth straight victory last Sunday, holding the San Diego Padres to only four hits and two runs over 7 1/3 innings, blanking the Friars over the final 5 1/3 frames. He regained his rhythm after two inning and also ignited a five-run Giants' rally in the seventh with a base hit.
There was definite improvement in Billington's start Sunday against the Angels, even though he remained winless. He was more aggressive early in the count, but four walks is still too many in six innings and Orlando Cabrera's steal of home was exploitation of inexperience at its finest. He was also punished for a mistake pitch to Vladimir Guerrero.

Saturday, July 8 Dodger Stadium | 1:10 PM PT

Noah Lowry, LHP (3-5, 3.88)VS.Derek Lowe, RHP (7-4, 3.49)

Scouting Report:
Lowry is 1-2 with three no-decisions in his last five games, but has thrown three consecutive quality starts, including 6 2/3 innings of five-hit ball vs. Colorado last Monday. He has, however, been having homer problems, yielding eight in his last eight games.
On the rebound from a mauling in Minnesota, Lowe kept his club in the game in his last start on July 3, although he needed 96 pitches and lasted only five innings while allowing leadoff hits in three of the innings. He's failed to reach the sixth inning in three of his last five starts.

Sunday, July 9 Dodger Stadium | 1:10 PM PT

Jason Schmidt, RHP (6-4, 2.69) VS.Aaron Sele, RHP (5-2, 3.05)

Scouting Report:

Schmidt won only one of his past six starts but it hasn't been for lack of effectiveness. Aside from his one loss in that time, at Seattle on June 17, Schmidt has allowed six earned runs in 34 innings -- a 1.59 ERA. He is 0-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this season.
Sele settled down after struggling with his curveball the first two innings to post another quality start, holding Arizona to two runs over seven innings. He has quality starts in eight of his 10 starts and his strikeout-to-walk ratio is 3:1.

[Giants666]

Cain opens crucial series vs. Blue Crew
San Francisco (43-42) at Los Angeles (44-40), 7:10 p.m. PT

It wasn't that long ago when Giants rookie pitcher Matt Cain was struggling with his command, going 1-5 with a 7.04 ERA on May 10, but he's been lights out since then, thanks to time off to correct his mechanics and learning to relax on the mound.
Good timing for the right-hander, then, as he makes his first-ever appearance against the Dodgers on Friday night in the opener of a four-game series in Chavez Ravine.

In his last nine outings, the right-hander is 5-1 with a 3.49 ERA and boasted a five-game winning streak from May 21 to June 19, logging a 2.70 ERA and limiting opponents to a .167 average.

The 21-year-old Cain, currently second among all National League rookies with six victories and leading the fledglings with 78 strikeouts.

Giants manager Felipe Alou considers the series at Dodger Stadium the most crucial of the season, as it's the last before the All-Star break.

In that regard, he hopes Pedro Feliz continues his hot hitting. He slugged his 15th homer Wednesday night against the Rockies and despite his reputation as a free-swinger, Feliz had an 11-pitch at-bat vs. Colorado on Tuesday.

"That maybe was the longest at-bat of his life," said Alou.

Pitching matchup

SF: RHP Matt Cain (6-6, 5.05)Cain had a solid performance vs. the Padres at PETCO Park on Saturday, allowing only two runs over six innings while striking out a career-high 11 batters but took a no-decision as the Giants couldn't hold a 3-2 lead. Over his last eight appearances, the rookie is 5-1 with two no-decisions.

LAD: LHP Mark Hendrickson (4-9, 3.71)
Hendrickson's Dodgers debut didn't go well. Four of the five runs he allowed were unearned, although he made one of the errors. Then he was hit on the biceps tendon with a line drive by Vladimir Guerrero.

Player to watch
Giants outfielder Randy Winn boasts a .413 average against the Dodgers. He hit .400 in Los Angeles last season.

[love_that_reefer]

Huge series for the Giants as they could go on top of the division before the break!