Listen Live: Baltimore at San Francisco [Live Audio] MLB
Where: AT&T Park, San Francisco, California\
The San Francisco Giants are a miserable 8-16 since the All-Star break but still manage to hold possession of the National League West lead entering Friday's opener of a three-game series against the visiting Baltimore Orioles. The Giants hold a one-game edge over the Los Angeles Dodgers and are hoping to right themselves with a favorable schedule that has 15 of their next 18 games at home.
San Francisco has tallied two or fewer runs in 12 of their games since the break and manager Bruce Bochy refuses to make excuses. "Everybody in there knows where we're at, what's at stake and what needs to be done," Bochy told reporters. "We've talked. They just got to get their job done." The Orioles can relate as they have dropped 10 of their last 16 games and trail the first-place Toronto Blue Jays by a half-game in the American League East. All-Star right fielder Mark Trumbo broke out of a 7-for-61 drought with a homer - his major league leading 32nd - and five RBIs in Thursday's 9-6 victory over the Oakland Athletics.
PITCHING MATCHUP: Orioles RH Dylan Bundy (5-3, 3.05 ERA) vs. Giants RH Matt Cain (4-6, 5.16)
Bundy has won his past two outings, giving up just two runs and five hits across 13 innings. The 23-year-old, who was the fourth overall pick of the 2011 draft, has struck out 29 and walked three over his last four starts after being a reliever most of the season. "I try to look at - did I give the team a chance to win? If I did, I'm happy with it," Bundy told reporters. "If I didn't, I'm not happy with it. That's about as simple as I can keep it."
Cain has won three consecutive contests and pitched 10 shutout innings while winning his last two outings. He served up five homers in his first two starts after returning from a hamstring injury before delivering much-better outings the last two times, including five no-hit innings against the Washington Nationals on July 31. Cain lost to the Orioles in his lone career start against them when he gave up three runs and five hits over seven innings on Aug. 11, 2013.
WALK-OFFS
1. Orioles All-Star LHP Zach Britton is perfect in 34 save opportunities and hasn't allowed an earned run in his past 39 appearances.
2. San Francisco SS Brandon Crawford is 11-for-23 over the last five games, including a seven-hit performance against Miami that matched the NL record.
3. Baltimore CF Adam Jones is 14-for-31 with two homers during a seven-game hitting streak.
PREDICTION: Giants 3, Orioles 2
