After losing a disastrous game on Wednesday by nine runs, the San Francisco Giants were able to rebound against the Colorado Rockies and win the series with a 4-2 victory. In a starting pitcher matchup featuring the 49-year-old Jamie Moyer and the 22-year-old Madison Bumgarner, the younger left-handed pitcher allowed zero hits during the game's first five innings and obtained most of his outs on the ground as opposed to the air.
As the Giants return to San Francisco for their home opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Matt Cain will get the first chance be the first Giants player pitching at home this season and the next starter to search for redemption early in the season. A career 3.12 ERA pitcher at home, Cain will face an easier lineup featuring the likes of Neil Walker, Clint Barmes, and Rod Barajas.
While the matchup against the Pirates may appear to be an easy start to the first home stand of the season, the weather may cause some complications and signify a long day in store for both teams and the fans in attendance. According to Weather.com, while there's a 50/50 chance of rain in the afternoon, AT&T Park has only had five games rained out and none since April 2006.
The game:
The San Francisco Giants will take on the Pittsburgh Pirates at AT&T Park located in San Francisco, CA on Friday, April 13, 2012 at 1:35 p.m. PT. This will be the first game in a three-game series.
The season series:
This is the first game between these two teams.
Where to watch and listen to the game:
The game can be watched live on MLB Network or locally at the following:
In San Francisco: CSN-BA & KNBR 680 (radio)
In Pittsburgh: KDKA-FM (radio)
The starting pitcher matchup:
San Francisco: Matt Cain
2011 season: 12-11, 2.88 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 179 Ks
Numbers vs. Pirates in last five years: 1-2, 3.38 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 35 Ks
Pittsburgh: James McDonald
2011 season: 9-9, 4.21 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, 142 Ks
Numbers vs. Giants in last five years: 1-2, 3.08 ERA, 1.44 WHIP, 18 Ks
Team injuries:
San Francisco: Clay Hensley (mild calf strain), Dan Runzler (aggravated strained left lat muscle), Freddy Sanchez (recovery from right shoulder surgery), Eric Surkamp (strained flexor tendon, left hand), Ryan Vogelsong (lower back spasms), Brian Wilson (ankle)
Pittsburgh: A.J. Burnett (right orbital fracture), Chris Leroux (strained right pectoral muscle), Charlie Morton (hip surgery), Gustavo Nunez (right ankle surgery)
Next series on tap:
Following this series, the Giants will host the Philadelphia Phillies from April 16-18 and visit the New York Mets from April 20-23.
Meanwhile, the Pirates' next two series will be on the road against the Arizona Diamondbacks from April 16-18 and at home against the St. Louis Cardinals from April 20-22.
Source:
Giants welcome Pirates for home opener, MLB
More from this contributor:
Fan's Preview: Will the San Francisco Giants Bounce Back from Short Tim Lincecum Outing?
Fan's Preview: Will Tim Lincecum Rebound Against the Colorado Rockies?
Fan's Preview: Will Barry Zito Lead the San Francisco Giants to Their First Win of the Season?
Fan's Take: Did the San Francisco Giants overpay for Matt Cain?
Matt Cain, San Francisco Giants Finally Agree to 5-Year Extension: Fan's Reaction
Austin Chang is a lifelong San Francisco Bay Area native, baseball fan, and supporter of the San Francisco Giants. Follow this contributor on Twitter @_austinchang.
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